Guided Evening Penguin Viewing Otago Peninsula, Dunedin, New Zealand

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From $31.88 per person Lowest Price Guarantee

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Adult (18-100) Minimum: 1, Maximum: 8

Child (5-17) Minimum: 0, Maximum: 8

Infant (0-4) Minimum: 0, Maximum: 8

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Guided Evening Penguin Viewing Otago Peninsula, Dunedin, New Zealand

2 Adults x $32.10

$64.20

Approx Total

$64.20

Inclusions / Exclusions

Mobile ticket
Offered in: English
All Fees and Taxes

No transport provided, guests need to drive themselves to our reserve

Overview

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)

Meeting points

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.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

Otago Peninsula's largest penguin colony, see up to 200 blue penguins arrive home from a day at sea (more seen over summer than winter). In the non-breeding months (February to August) we expect between 10 - 80 penguins each night. We will offer viator refunds of 70% if we see less than 5 penguins ! The tour starts with an introduction to the human history of this significant headland, occupied by Māori long before European arrival. Then just before dusk we move onto our purpose-built platform to marvel at the world's smallest penguin species returning from sea. Watch penguins waddle past us just a few metres away. One of the closest and best opportunities to see our special wildlife in their natural habitat. Voted in the top 10 TripAdvisor's Best Experiences in New Zealand 2022. PHOTOGRAPHY ALLOWED (no flash) Consider joining our 'Otago Peninsula In-Depth Tour' for a fully guided peninsula experience, see penguins and other wildlife too ! We view penguins on our open platform, they are just a few metres away and you do have the ability to move around to see penguins from different angles. We DO NOT allow the use of umbrellas, so if it is wet bring a rain jacket.

Additional Info

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
Tour involves a 100m walk along a boardwalk that has over 30 inbuilt steps along it
We DO NOT allow umbrellas, if it is wet you need to bring a rain jacket

Free Cancellation

April 19100% refund

April 20No refund

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Reviews

5.0

355 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

5 stars

344
4 stars

7
3 stars

4
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We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her

Reviews by TravelOne travelers

Showing 1-5 of 344 reviews with 5 stars

60 penguins!!

Published on Mar, 2025

A must do if staying in Dunedin. The penguins were a little tardy to arrive at first but we were entertained by two adolescent NZ sea lions playing on the beach. Then the penguins arrived in droves and we saw 60 little penguins parading up the beach. Guides were fantastic. Your tour money goes directly to this group to maintain the penguin habitat. Worth every cent!

Fun with penguins

Published on Feb, 2025

Easy drive with lovely views on the way. Informative and fun to see the little blue penguins come up onto the beach and then make their way to the burrows.

An unforgettable...

Published on Feb, 2025

An unforgettable experience I will cherish forever. And I am definitely coming back again and again.

Don’t miss this tour - it’s fantastic!

Published on Feb, 2025

An amazing experience. The staff were friendly and knowledgeable and we learned a lot about not Penguins, the local area and the history of Maori/Pacific people. The trip starts with an information session which is entertaining and educational actionable bore you head down to see the penguins. The track down is well formed and an easy walk. We didn’t wait long before the forest lot of penguins came ashore and there is plenty to see and photograph from that point on. The staff were brilliant with giving information and making sure everyone moved around and got good views. The viewing platform area is large so there is plenty of space for everyone. One of the best things I have done in Dunedin.

Worth the wait

Published on Feb, 2025

You may need patience and don't expect to see hundreds of penguin's but if you stand there long enough you usually get a good view and the staff are very good rotating people around so you all get a good view.And have to say after seeing these penguin's in Australia too it was much better here as you were really close and they allowed you to take photos and videos just as long as you don't use flash or lights. Great for families and everyone.it is quite steep going up and down the steps so maybe not suitable for elderly or disabled. And there is also a coffee or hot chocolate bar there run by the staff should it get chilly.but maybe take a warm jacket or even blanket as we went in January and still a bit chilly at night.

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