Behind The Scenes + Blue Penguins Pukekura Experience Tour
Overview
Available languages
2 hours 45 minutes
Mobile ticket
This tour combines exclusive access, expert guidance, and a two‑part experience that connects daytime conservation work with the magic of watching penguins return at dusk.
You explore restricted nesting areas with the very biologists who care for the colony, gaining insights other visitors do not get.
Later (after dark) we see penguins coming ashore just metres away — creating a full, meaningful picture of their lives both at sea and at home.
Additional Info
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
The reserve walk is adults only it is not suitable for children. If you have children you need to book our other tour
GUESTS MUST HAVE MODERATE LEVEL OF FITNESS AS WE WALK ON STEEP UNEVEN GROUND
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 earlier Otago Peninsula In-Depth tour as transport is provided on that tour.
Guests must be able to walk unaided, it is not suitable for guests that need walking aids
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
This is our most immersive penguin and conservation experience, taking you behind the scenes into the largest penguin colony on the Otago Peninsula. It’s designed for adults who want deeper insight into penguin life, to visit nest sites, and to learn about the conservation and ecology work we do. This walk is adults only (If you have children you need to book the tour without the Behind-The-Scenes component). The tour begins with a guided daytime walk into restricted nesting areas with the biologists who care for the birds, giving you a deeper understanding of their lives, habitats, and how we monitor the colony. We don’t usually see penguins during the daytime walk, but we do later when we watch them come ashore at dusk. Returning to the Centre for a bathroom break, we then sit down for an engaging talk about the headland and the penguins. Next, we head to the purpose‑built viewing deck to watch Blue Penguins waddle up the beach to socialise, preen, and feed their chicks (seasonal) just metres away. Your earlier walk through the reserve now comes to life as you understand exactly where the penguins are heading and what they’ll be doing once they return home.
What‘s Included
All Fees and Taxes
No transport provided, guests need to drive themselves to our reserve
Options
Behind The Scenes + Blue Penguins Pukekura Experience Tour
Reviews
18 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Just beautiful.
82SteveB,Feb 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00One of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. Penguins in their natural environment. Just beyond words how close to nature you are.
Magnificent night activity
color4,Jan 22, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great activity, a little late (10:50 p.m. for us) and cool (don’t forget to cover up), but very interesting. After several explanations, descent to a platform close to the shore, allowing you to enjoy these cute little blue penguins returning from fishing. Great one-hour experience, allow 45 minutes coming from the city center to reach the site.
Our favourite experience on South Island
328christopherh,Jan 15, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00One of the best experiences on our month long trip of New Zealand. It was so well organised, informative and when over 100 Little Blue Penguins waddled out of the sea over the course of an hour, it was a sight to behold. If you want to see penguins in New Zealand and support these beautiful little birds, then make sure this is on your to do list. Thank you to all of the guides that made this a magical experience. Chris & Deb - UK
Loved it!
M8040HOadamd,Jan 12, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was such a unique experience, and the guide was incredibly knowledgeable about the area and the penguins. This is a lovely viewing opportunity, and we saw so many penguins! We did the night tour, and it was well worth it.
Highlight of our holiday
krjacquesl,Jan 7, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00What an absolute treat! The evening started with an entertaining and informative session covering not only the penguins but the incredibly special history of the location. Great spots for viewing the penguins arrival on the beach and you’re able to see them up close as they make their way past the viewing platform. A wonderful experience.
VISITING PENGUINS IN DUNEDIN.
Mike J,Dec 19, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A well organised and fun activity. Lots if little blue penguins to see up close. Bring warm clothes as it gets very cool after dark.
Penguins vs Sea Lion
lulugigi49,Dec 14, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was a great experience. We learned a lot about the native ocean wildlife and then watched the blue penguins swim in in groups and socialize and go to their young. As an added attraction a young sea lion came ashore and chased some of the penguins playfully (to him). Then it laid inTheir pathway up the embankment until one of the penguins went up to it and chirped at it. The sea lion seemed offended by that and moved out of their way and then rolled around in the sand. Quite an exciting night viewing!
Penguins, penguins, penguins and so much more!!!
154TeresaB,Dec 12, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was our second little blue penguins experience and it was by far the richest in terms of quality of the wildlife viewing and depth of information provided about not only the penguins, but also the myriad of other wildlife and history of the peninsula. Our guide, Jonathan, was superb.
Definitely worth seeing
W3975ABrachaels,Nov 25, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00An amazing experience, very personal small tour group, the guides were fantastic. Definitely worth the late night.
Up close with Blue Penguins
DallasTraveler003,Nov 13, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Wonderful opportunity to see Blue penguins on Otago Peninsula up close! I really wanted to see some of the wildlife on Otago Peninsula but was booking last minute. We had no trouble securing tickets for a last minute late night tour. We were 2 of only 4 people in the group so had excellent access to our 2 guides who were fantastic. We encountered several penguins on the way down to the viewing platform and got to hear and view many more as they hung out near their burrows or made their way slowly up the beach. The sounds the birds made were so entertaining. Our guide said it was them either announcing “Honey I’m home or get out of my house!.” Fantastic experience and highly recommend! View of stars also wonderful. The drive out to the Royal Albatross Center is a bit tricky in the dark- just take it slow. Walk down to viewing platform also a bit steep but lighting is reasonable and appropriate for taking care of wildlife and human visitors. Just take care walking.
From NZ$75.00
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