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Fewer People. More Wildlife.
A chance to see Yellow-eyed Penguins, NZ sea lions, NZ fur seals, Albatross and a wide variety of birdlife, in their natural habitat.
Your small, guided tour, of no more than 10 people, will take you to our spectacular, secluded beach.
Our private conservation reserve area is on our historic family farm, at Cape Saunders, on the Otago Peninsula.
A wild, and untamed, dramatic environment that we are lucky enough to share with some of New Zealand's rarest species.
The Clearwater family has deep roots here and is devoted to preserving and enhancing its pristine beauty. Become a part of our shared commitment to protect its natural wildlife habitats.
"One of the most beautiful coastal headlands and beaches in NZ"
Ahipara Luxury Travel NZ
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Level of fitness: This tour requires a moderate level of fitness. There are some hills to walk up and down and the beach walk also includes walking on sand and uneven ground. There are also several sets of steps and stairs therefore the terrain visited is not suitable for persons with walking disabilities and wheelchairs.
Clothing: Our tours are an outdoor activity in a land where maritime weather prevails, the weather can change very quickly, regardless of the season. Always bring warm and waterproof clothes. For those that are unprepared we provide wind and rain proof jackets.
Footwear: Walking shoes/boots with good tread are recommended and necessary if conditions are wet or muddy.
Food: Tours are 4 hours in duration, so guests are welcome to bring pre-packed food and drink as there are no opportunities to stop for food during our tours. However, food is not allowed out of the van in the wildlife viewing areas.
Children: Small children might have difficulty keeping up on the trails - we recommend bringing a front pack or carrier for small children. Travelers must bring their own car seats for small children. For safety reasons children are not able to sit on an adult's lap.
Medicines: Personal medicines etc. should be carried if required on all tours. Any medical condition which could potentially be a problem should be communicated to your guide at the start of a tour.
Photography: There will be some amazing photo opportunities during our tours, but we do not allow close up flash photography of wildlife as this may startle or injure them. Please ensure that you are familiar with your camera options or ask one of our friendly team for advice.
Cancellation Policy: To receive a full refund, travelers may cancel up to 24 hours before the experience start time in the local time zone. No refunds will be given after that time period.
Cruise Ship Passengers - Please advise us of the name of the cruise ship you are arriving on.
Not recommended for travelers with mobility issues.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Complimentary Warm and Waterproof Jackets
Complimentary High Quality Binoculars
GST (Goods and Services Tax)
Air-conditioned vehicle
We don't interrupt our tour with off route pick-ups once our tours have started. Call us to inquire.
There are toilet facilities at the farm
There are no food stops along the way. Guests are welcome to bring a packed lunch or snacks.
Operated by Clearwater Wildlife Tours
134 reviews
sunshinemimi0615,Nov 15, 2024
Eric was our guide. He had a great knowledge about local wildlife. We enjoyed seeing many different species of birds and sea lions!
Melissa T,Nov 6, 2024
What a beautiful tour! Eric and Tom were gracious and knowledgeable tour guides for Clearwater Farm. A Self proclaimed bird nerd, Eric has sharp eyes and found many different species. They were amazing with my 76 year old mom who was able to hike, just slowly. The highlight of the tour, other than the stunning vistas, plentiful seals and sea lions, was the elusive Yellow Eyed Penguin.
Patricia L,Sep 19, 2024
They canceled our trip the night before, but we didn't know until we got to the meeting point when we were informed by the visitors center staff. I hadn't checked my email so that is my fault. They canceled due to weather, but it turned out to be a decent day at the meet up time and onward, we were ready to go, but they weren't coming out. We were looking so forward to this tour and it broke our hearts that it was cancelled. Unfortunately, since this company wanted to rechedule us two days later and chose to not have any tours the following day due to their own training purposes, rescheduling wasn't an option and I'm currently waiting on a refund. I suppose some people can cater to them and reschedule their trip when they cancel, but we couldn't. You'd think they would have some people to still do tours while they are training others, but everyone has their priorities and attending to paying customers with the dream of seeing the yellow eyed penguin is not their priority. Choose another company that cares, go on your own to the sanctuary, or do your research and find a place where you may be able to see them on your own. But don't rely on this company/tour. If you do...have a Plan B!
Nicole W,Sep 15, 2024
It was an incredible experience. The guide was great, gave a lot of information and answered all questions in detail. He took his time and showed us the best places to observe.
Susan K,Sep 4, 2024
Wonderful guides, and well planned tour spotting a variety of shore birds, seals, sea lions and even a few yellow eyed penguins. You get to see a lot of the Peninsula and our guides were well versed in local history as well as the natural world. Highly recommend this tour.