'Very shaken': Two narrowly escape second slip at Cape Kidnappers

Two people narrowly avoided a second slip at Cape Kidnappers. Photo / Supplied

A second, serious slip at Cape Kidnappers narrowly missed two people walking in the area.

Hastings District Council said it occurred on February 2 and was similar in scale to the one that seriously injured two Korean tourists and closed the area on January 23.

A pair who were walking in the area on Saturday narrowly escaped being in the path of this second rockfall, and were "very shaken", a spokeswoman said.

The visitors had ignored signs warning that the beach was closed, and did not have a right to be there, the spokeswoman said.

The first slip on the left and the same site after the second slip, on the right. Photos / Supplied

Geologists examining the site warned there was a lot of loose material in the vicinity and that further rockfalls were likely.

The council was working with the geologists, with further information now required to monitor the changing environment and the hazards remaining in what was a "highly active" area.

There may have also been a smaller slip on February 3, the council said.

Last week it was decided that, in the interest of public safety, access would remain closed until a geologist report was received.

Businesses reliant on access to the Cape's famous gannet colony via the beach have been feeling the strain since the slip.

The area will remained closed until further notice.