Blue Penguins Pukekura Experience Otago Peninsula, New Zealand
Description
See up to 200 blue penguins returning from sea in the evening! (Generally more penguins are seen over the spring/summer than our autumn or winter months, but we guarantee to see penguins every night!! In the non-breeding months of March to August we often see 20-50 birds each night, however on rare occasions we might see fewer than 10 birds). Extremely close viewing of these birds. Learn about the Māori history of this significant site. Tour includes a special "behind the scenes" look at the reserve and penguin habitat. We are the only blue penguin evening tours that allows photography (but no flash photography) Voted in the top 10 experiences in New Zealand (TripAdvisor 2022). Most tours are led by conservation experts/biologists. Other wildlife often seen (e.g., seals, sealions, albatross)
Tour Options
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- 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
Reviews(545)
Amazing experience. Would 100% recommend and go again.
This was a truly magical experience. The excitement was tangible as we all huddled on the decking vying for a good spot to see the water. And when the first raft of penguins came in...wow...this is something you really need to see.
Third time coming here, and I still love it! All the staff are so dynamic, welcoming, and super friendly. I highly recommend this experience 100%
This is a must do for us when we host our exchange students. Since we have started taking in short stay students we make sure we take them to visit the little blue penguins and it always ends up being their favourite activity from their visit to Ōtepoti Dunedin. The hosts are always friendly, helpful and full of great information - and they make sure there are yummy biscuits to eat while we wait for the penguins to arrive.
Excellent educational and engaging experience with a very knowledgeable staff, great viewing platform + 100s of penguins
It was very fun educational experience.
such a cool way to see penguins without disturbing them. we were up close and able to get good pictures
An amazing night! Watching from the viewing platform as the the penguins came out off the sea, huddled together on the beach and then started running towards the shore was an unforgettable experience. The guides were very knowledgeable and shared a lot of interesting facts. There was sufficient space and we rotated so everyone had good view from different angles. Great value for money. What a special memory! I feel very privileged to have witness such beautiful wildlife up close.
The tour is super nice, the staffs provided all the interesting information related to penguins. And the penguins are very cute. One advice from me is tourists should drive there or book a car to pick up after the tour. I and my husband went there by Uber and after the tour we could not book Uber to go home T.T. Luckily 1 of the staff drove his own car and dropped us in front of our hotel :))). We talked all the way to home so I forgot to ask his name, but anyway, thank you so much for that unless we had to sleep at the peninsula with dark and super strong wind 🙏🙏🙏 I definitely recommend this tour to all of my friends and colleagues when I back to home 😉 Cheer 🥂
We absolutely loved this visit. It was freezing cold but a lovely hot chocolate warmed us up while we viewed nearly 100 blue penguins coming out of the water. Really awesome and kids/ adults alike loved it. Great info from staff and they were very attentive and informative
