Penguin Viewing Guided Tour: Close Encounter with Blue Penguins at Otago Peninsula, Dunedin

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.

Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Blue Penguins Pukekura - Home to the largest penguin colony on the Otago Peninsula, where visitors can witness up to 200 blue penguins returning from the sea each evening (more frequent sightings occur in summer than in winter). During the non-breeding season (February to August), expect to see between 10 to 80 penguins nightly.
    A 30% refund is…
What's Included
  • All Fees and Taxes
What's Not Included
  • No transport provided, guests need to drive themselves to our reserve
Additional Information

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…

Location
Blue Penguins Pukekura
Harington Point Road
This tour requires you to have transport to get to us. (If you need transport then see our "Otago Peninsula In-Depth Tour" option for a tour that includes transport). Meet your Blue Penguin Pukekura guides inside the albatross centre at Taiaroa Head at the end of the Otago Peninsula.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(435 Ratings)
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R2thebizel
Jul 18, 2025
Blue Penguins: Superb - Superb information given by the guides which are not only about the animals, but the cultural significance as well. These are wild animals and although you are guaranteed to see a penguin, how many cannot be guessed but a brilliant setup on the platform at dusk, night sky is amazing, with a little snack bar and great work being done.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Shona_m
Jul 11, 2025
Penguins are Social Beings just like us - Your in a natural environment so need to be patient. The wait was worth it. The presenter was excellent in her delivery of the life cycle of the penguin and how it survives. Also her local knowledge of the area was informative
Review provided by Viator
Orlaithf8
Jul 10, 2025
Incredible experience seeing the cutest penguins in their natural habitat - We really loved seeing these cute penguins make their way up to their huts on the beach. The talk we had beforehand was very informative and the guides were super nice and approachable. We were very lucky and got to see over 90 blue penguins and even some seals. Such a unique experience and one we will remember forever.
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Jet03505768708
Jul 9, 2025
Absolutely incredible!! - This Penguin Experience was amazing! If you don't see more than 5 penguins, you get a refund. We saw over 50! The staff are lovely and they love answering all your questions. This was by far one of the best experiences that I have had on my trip! Thank you!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mathewpaterson
Jul 6, 2025
EPIC! And not just penguins! - We thought the tour was great. The staff were awesome and also very funny the educational part of the tour at the start was funny, interesting and engaging. Our weather was nice and it was a moonlit night this did work slightly against us as the penguin’s took a little while to feel safe and start popping out but not to worry there was NZ sea lions and seals to keep us entertained. When the penguin’s appeared they came in groups right past the platform and we all got great views/photos. There was over 40 for the night which we were impressed with considering it is winter. The hospitality during the experience was excellent and well thought out.
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Tourist10590270943
Jun 23, 2025
Awesome experience - This is a great experience to see little blue penguins doing their thing in the wildlife while being observed by us close up but out of their way. The tour guides are passionate and knowledgeable. A must see and do.
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Cate_b
Jun 20, 2025
A night to remember with Blue Penguins - Our penguin experience was fabulous! It was very well done and we learnt a lot about these beautiful little penguins and could clearly see them as they waddled up the beach and under our viewing deck.
Review provided by Viator
Kim_m
Jun 16, 2025
What an amazing... - What an amazing experience, exceeded our expectations. Definitely would recommend this for anyone travelling to Dunedin.
Review provided by Viator
Paul_m
Jun 15, 2025
Excellent and Unique - Laid back rangers who know their stuff, esp the birds. Right amount of time doing the presentation part, then you walk down the trail to a cove on a viewing platform perched over a bunch of penguin boxes. We saw about 100 make it past the two sea lions rough-housing in the surfline.
Review provided by Viator
Jessicav395
Jun 14, 2025
Great experience and conservation efforts. - This was a great tour. The staff were so knowable and easy going. The penguins were late coming in due to rare sea lions on the reserve, but the staff kept up the great vibes and when the penguins did come in it was so superb. The experience was amazing and I love that the proceeds go straight back to conservation efforts at the reserve.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $33
up to 8 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).