Annual Chatham Island Bird Tour – A Rare Birding Experience

Located just a 60-second walk up the hill from the main hotel, the Forget Me Not Suites offer a peaceful retreat with beautiful sea views. Each suite features a king bed, private ensuite with shower, and a hairdryer provided for your convenience.

Enjoy the comfort of a lounge area, a fully equipped kitchen, and a veranda where you can take in the coastal scenery. Additional amenities include Sky TV and WiFi.

A shared laundry facility is available which has a washing machine, dryer and washing powder.

A non-refundable deposit of $1,500 is required to secure your place on the tour.

Once we receive your deposit, your booking is confirmed and your room will be allocated. This also allows us to begin making the necessary arrangements to ensure your experience is seamless from start to finish.

We recommend paying your deposit early, as places are limited and tours often fill quickly.

We will issue an invoice for the final balance, which can be paid via credit card or bank transfer.

Full payment is due 6 weeks prior to the tour’s start date. Please note that once paid, the final balance is non-refundable if you choose to cancel — unless we are able to re-fill your place, in which case a refund may be possible.

We recommend securing travel insurance to protect against unforeseen circumstances.

Please note: Your deposit is non-refundable. If you cancel after making your final payment, we will refund the final payment only if we are able to fill your spot. If the spot remains unfilled, unfortunately, no refund can be given and we suggest you claim from your travel insurance.

• Return Air Chatham Islands flights valued at $1,300
• Accommodation with ensuite bathrooms — solo travellers pay no extra for a single room
• Breakfast options (choice of cooked or continental) with self-serve coffee, tea, and Milo; barista or specialty coffees available at your own cost
• Lunches provided, varying from hotel-packed lunches, bbq’s to picnic-style meals
• Three-course dinners every evening
• A selection of Central Otago Maude wines served with dinner on the first night and when dining at Kopi Bush Retreat - all other alcohol is own cost
• On-island airport to hotel transfers
• Coach transport on island
• A dedicated and knowledgeable Chatham Islands guide will accompany you throughout your stay on all tours, excluding photography-specific tours
• Department of Conservation and landowner concession fees included — $350 per person
• Voluntary Chatham Islands visitor levy included — $25 per person, supporting island infrastructure maintenance.

While domestic travel insurance is not mandatory, we strongly recommend it to protect you against unexpected disruptions. A suitable policy can help cover:

• Cancellation costs if you’re unable to travel

• Flight delays with Air Chathams to or from the Chatham Islands

• Additional accommodation, meals, and other expenses incurred due to unforeseen changes in your travel plans

Travel insurance provides peace of mind — especially when visiting remote destinations like the Chathams. Be sure to choose a policy that suits your personal needs.

In the unlikely event that the tour is cancelled by us, you will receive a full refund, including your deposit, to your nominated bank account. Alternatively, you may choose to transfer your booking to another tour within the Travel With Lesley Whyte group of brands.

Please note that refunds may take 4–6 weeks, as we work with our suppliers to recover costs.

You’ll be given a copy of the itinerary when you meet your Travel With Lesley Whyte representative at the start of the tour. While some activities on set days are fixed, Chatham Islands sightseeing is often subject to weather conditions, landowner access, and other local factors. As such, many activities can only be confirmed the afternoon prior.

Your representative will provide a daily briefing at dinner, outlining the next day’s plans and suggesting suitable clothing based on the weather and activity.

Layered clothing is essential – regardless of the time of the year, the Chathams are famous for “four seasons in one day.” We recommend packing a beanie, windproof jacket and a waterproof parka, and clothing you can layer for changing conditions.

Dress is casual for the entire tour, so there’s no need for anything formal.

Ankle or calf-length gumboots are helpful for occasional muddy areas. If you don’t have gumboots, bring an extra pair of shoes you don’t mind getting dirty – cleaning facilities are available at the hotel.

Laundry facilities are free to use when available. The hotel supplies laundry powder, and clothes can be dried using your room’s radiator if staying at the Hotel or use the clothes dryer.

Important: There is no pharmacy on the island. Bring all essential medications, including extras in case of weather-related delays. While there is a small hospital, serious medical cases are airlifted off the island.

We recommend that you bring your own hairdryer, soap, shampoo, and conditioner for your stay. While some basic toiletries may be provided, having your preferred products ensures you’re comfortable and can maintain your usual routine. This also helps reduce waste and supports sustainable travel practices.  If you have any special needs or require specific products, packing them is the best way to guarantee you have exactly what you need during your visit.

Absolutely — we’ve never encountered a dietary requirement we couldn’t accommodate. However, to ensure we can meet your needs, you’ll be sent a “Registration Form” closer to departure.

It’s very important that you complete this form, especially if you have any allergies, intolerances, or specific dietary preferences (e.g., vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free).

As many meals are pre-planned and pre-ordered, if we are not notified of your requirements in advance, we may not be able to provide a suitable option during the tour.

Your comfort and enjoyment are important to us, so please be sure to complete the form fully and submit it by the requested deadline.

The Chatham Islands have a unique and fragile ecosystem with many native plants and wildlife found nowhere else in the world. Because of this, strict biosecurity measures are in place to protect the islands from invasive species that could cause serious harm.

One key point to note is that the Chatham Islands are one of only three places in the world that are disease-free for bees. For this reason, the bringing in of raw honey, honey products, bee suits, and any apiary equipment—whether new or secondhand—is strictly forbidden. This protects the local bee populations and helps maintain the islands’ healthy environment.

We want every guest to experience as much of the amazing Chatham Islands as possible, and we accommodate all levels of fitness. However, it is important that you are able to manage your own luggage when checking in at Air Chathams and retrieving it from the luggage carousel.

The terrain and walking distances around the islands vary widely. Some locations require only a short stroll of 20 to 50 paces, while others involve climbing over a stile followed by a 10-minute walk. Certain sites, like the Basalt Columns, involve clambering down a rocky path to get close, though you can also enjoy spectacular views of these formations from the top of the hill if you prefer.

Walks can range from just 5 minutes to up to 45 minutes, over a variety of surfaces including solid ground, grassland, or boardwalks. Nunuku’s Cave walk is best suited for more experienced and agile walkers, as it is approximately 20 minutes return, with the final section being a narrow, and at times, a steep and uneven “goat track” BUT well worth the walk if you can make it.

We always aim to get the coach as close to each location as possible. If walking into a location isn’t comfortable for you, you are welcome to stay on the coach or walk only as far as you feel comfortable. Our guides are there to support you every step of the way to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable experience.

The General Store, just a short walk from your accommodation, offers a limited selection of essential household items and basic groceries for purchase. Please note, there is no full supermarket on the island, and facilities such as a chemist or clothing stores are not available.

For clothing, you’ll mainly find tourist-oriented items like t-shirts, beanies, and souvenirs rather than everyday apparel. We recommend packing all necessary medications, personal care products, and clothing you might need for your stay, as options to purchase these locally are very limited.

While visiting the Chatham Islands, you will be under the care of New Zealand’s medical and health system. The island has a small hospital with just three beds, staffed by a doctor and nurses who provide essential medical care.

However, medical facilities are limited, and in the event of a serious injury or illness, patients are typically airlifted to the mainland for advanced treatment. It’s important to come prepared with any necessary medications as there is no chemist on the island.

We take you to one of the local fish factories where you can purchase a wide variety of fresh fish and seafood straight from the source. This is a great opportunity to experience the island’s renowned seafood offerings and select the freshest catch available.

For photography tours, please speak with the hotel staff — they may be able to arrange for fresh seafood to be delivered directly to the hotel and charged to your room for your convenience.

Any seafood you buy will be carefully stored and ready for you to collect on the morning of your departure. To keep your purchases fresh and frozen during your journey home, you can buy an insulated chilly travel bag either from the Hotel or the nearby General Store. This ensures your seafood stays in perfect condition until you arrive back home.

That’s not a problem at all. Your fish can be carefully frozen and securely stored, ready for you to collect on the morning of your departure. To keep your seafood fresh and properly frozen during your journey home, insulated chilly travel bags are available for purchase at both the Hotel and the nearby General Store. This will help ensure your catch remains in excellent condition until you arrive back home.

Please also be aware that there is a daily “total allowable catch” limit on seafood. If you plan to spend multiple days fishing and intend to take seafood such as pāua or crayfish off the island, we recommend contacting the Chatham Islands Ministry for Primary Industries ahead of time. They can provide you with the necessary certificate to legally transport your seafood off the island.

WiFi:
You will be provided with a complimentary WiFi voucher to connect to the Hotel’s WiFi network. There is no charge for this service.

Mobile Phone Coverage:
Mobile phone coverage is available across much of the Chatham Islands. However, due to the island’s remote and expansive nature, there may be areas where coverage is limited or temporarily unavailable. We recommend downloading any essential information in advance and keeping in touch when coverage is available.

Not included in your tour cost:

• Barista or specialty coffees – these may be charged to your room
• Alcohol beyond what is provided for two meals
• Personal purchases and expenses
• Travel to and from the point of departure to connect with the Air Chathams flight.

Please ensure you settle any additional charges with the hotel before departure.

Yes, there are two EFTPOS machines available on the Chatham Islands — one located in the public bar at the hotel, and the other at the General Store.

A few of the tourist and souvenir shops we visit also accept credit and debit card payments. However, some locations are cash-only. We recommend carrying a small amount of cash with you to ensure you can make purchases where electronic payment isn’t accepted.

If you have other questions, please feel free to contact Lesley

M: 027 4747 347

E: lesley@travelwithlesleywhyte.com