Experience a close encounter with blue penguins on a guided tour at Otago Peninsula, Dunedin. See up to 200 penguins returning from the sea in the evening and learn about the Māori history of the site. Capture the moment with photography and spot other wildlife like seals, sea lions, and albatross.
Experience a close encounter with blue penguins on a guided tour at Otago Peninsula, Dunedin. See up to 200 penguins returning from the sea in the evening and learn about the Māori history of the site. Capture the moment with photography and spot other wildlife like seals, sea lions, and albatross.
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Blue Penguins Pukekura - Home to the largest penguin colony on the Otago Peninsula, where up to 200 blue penguins return from the sea each evening (more during summer than winter). During the non-breeding season (February to August), expect to see between 10 and 80 penguins nightly.
A 30% refund is available through Viator if fewer than 5 penguins…
- Blue Penguins Pukekura - Home to the largest penguin colony on the Otago Peninsula, where up to 200 blue penguins return from the sea each evening (more during summer than winter). During the non-breeding season (February to August), expect to see between 10 and 80 penguins nightly.
A 30% refund is available through Viator if fewer than 5 penguins are seen! (Our website offers a 50% refund for direct bookings.)
If this site shows no availability, please check our website for more options.
The tour begins with an overview of the human history of this important headland, inhabited by Māori long before Europeans arrived. At dusk, enjoy watching penguins waddle by just a few meters away. This is one of the best and closest opportunities to observe penguins!
Ranked among TripAdvisor’s Top 10 Best Experiences in New Zealand for 2022.
PHOTOGRAPHY ALLOWED (no flash)
Consider joining our ‘Otago Peninsula In-Depth Tour’ for a comprehensive guided experience of the peninsula, including penguins and other wildlife!
Penguins can be viewed from our open platform, just a few meters away, with the flexibility to move around for different viewing angles.
Umbrellas are not permitted, so please bring a rain jacket if it is wet.
- All Fees and Taxes
- All Fees and Taxes
- No transport provided, guests need to drive themselves to our reserve
- No transport provided, guests need to drive themselves to our reserve
Experience the fantastic sight of up to 200 blue penguins arriving from the sea at dusk! Most penguins are witnessed during the spring/summer seasons, as compared to the autumn or winter. Still, we guarantee you’ll sight penguins each night!! In the non-breeding period, from March to August, it is common to observe 20-50 birds per night, but…
Experience the fantastic sight of up to 200 blue penguins arriving from the sea at dusk! Most penguins are witnessed during the spring/summer seasons, as compared to the autumn or winter. Still, we guarantee you’ll sight penguins each night!! In the non-breeding period, from March to August, it is common to observe 20-50 birds per night, but occasionally, the count could be less than 10. Get an extraordinarily close view of these creatures. Acquire knowledge about the significance of this site to Māori history. Our tour also includes a unique behind-the-scenes peek at the reserve and the penguin’s habitation.
We stand out as the only evening tours for blue penguins that permit photography (flash photography is not allowed).
Named as one of the top 10 experiences in New Zealand by TripAdvisor in 2022.
Tours are primarily conducted by conservation professionals/biologists.
Some tours may also feature additional wildlife sightings like seals, sea lions, and albatross.
- This tour option is for those with their own transport to get to our location. If you do not have a car then book our other tour option that has transport
- Guests must be able to walk unaided. Tour involves a 300m walk along a gravel path and boardwalk that has over 60 inbuilt steps along it
- We DO NOT allow umbrellas, if it is wet you need to bring a rain jacket
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
