Guided Evening Penguin Viewing Otago Peninsula, Dunedin, New Zealand
Overview
Available languages
1 hour 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
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)
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
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
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
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 offer viator refunds of 30% if we see less than 5 penguins ! (Lower than booking direct through our own website where we can offer refunds of 50 %) If no availability on this site, check our own website for additional availability Tour starts with an introduction to the human history of this significant headland, occupied by Māori long before European arrival. At dusk we watch penguins waddle past us just a few metres away. One of the closest and best opportunities to see penguins! 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.
What‘s Included
All Fees and Taxes
No transport provided, guests need to drive themselves to our reserve
Options
Guided Evening Penguin Viewing Otago Peninsula, Dunedin, New Zealand
Reviews
484 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Fabulous experience
Gilles P,Mar 28, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The first half hour explaining the life of the blue penguins was very interesting. Then, fun experience to see these little animals come home from their day at sea... A little tight in front of the barriers given the number of people, but the guide regularly rotates people so that we all benefit. And if it's nicer, we get the Milky Way...
Excellent night of penguins with bonus albatross and milky way sightings
Anna W,Mar 22, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Excellent communication and education about the penguins! Those little blue penguins are absolutely adorable!! Bonus seeing albatross fly over coupled with a clear night of star gazing made this adventure a night to remember. The milky way even made an appearance. Highly recommend!
Great experience to see...
Greg B,Mar 22, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Great experience to see the blue penguins in their natural environment & very informative & passionate hosts.
Adorable penguins
bonniehC7500WB,Mar 18, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fabulous tour! James was very knowledgeable about birding in the area, took into the countryside to see more birds. Also stargazing was optimal that evening
Not to be missed!
douglasp857,Mar 18, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was an experience of a lifetime! We were so close to the little blue penguins and they are absolutely adorable! The guides made sure we all had our fair share of prime viewing time, and the group was small enough so you were never left out! This was definitely one of the highlights of our trip! Don't miss it!
What an absolute joy!
ttbko,Mar 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00What a fabulous way to spend an evening and what a beautiful place to spend it. I am staying friends locally who booked this for my trip to NZ from UK. I have a leg injury that makes walking challenging but I'm so glad I braved the path down to the viewing platform. The introduction was fascinating, funny and hugely informative. As we walked down the path, the incline proved more difficult than I anticipated but we got down to the platform safely and stood waiting on some of the tiny wee creatures to appear. We were not disappointed so after 15 or so penguins appeared for us, we set off back up the hill. Again a challenge but doable. The penguins were fascinating and adorable. The albatross - a bit of a bonus for me - were majestic and beautiful and the three guides, Sian, James and the super enthusiastic Dani (my apologies if I've misremembered her name) were a joy and made the evening. That's by far the best 60NZD I have spent this entire trip! If you're within a hundred kilometers of Dunedin, don't miss it!!!
Very Cool Must Do This!
Y6242TAbradb,Mar 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Very cool! Worth the drive on the ‘low road’ in the dark. Good presentation and details on what to expect. Good Q&A all evening, very informative. Loved, loved, loved seeing the penguins up close. The crowd thinned out after a while and we had great views. Small showing from the birds but they were there! (We were late in their season)
An unforgettable and inspiring evening
31aileenk,Mar 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We arrived on a beautiful clear evening to see the Royal Albatrosses in the sky. Already a winner. The tour was excellent, with plenty of room for everyone to observe these very special birds both arriving and socialising. To see the raft of birds appearing, their progress on shore and quietly watch the community of birds and chicks at such close quarters was a real highlight of our trip. Wrap up warm and prepare for something unforgettable.
Fantastic Tour
Nancy M,Feb 26, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This is a fantastic tour! The guides are knowledgeable and friendly, and made sure that everyone got a chance to see the penguins on the beach and near the nests. The penguins were amazing! We watched them come ashore and make their way to their nests, preening and socializing along the way. I lost count, but we probably saw 50+ Little Blue Penguins, from babies to adults, many within a meter away. This is a great way to see lots penguins in a way that’s responsible and safe for them.
Fantastic!
Rachel T,Feb 21, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Excellent excursion -had to be late because the blue penguins don’t come out of the water until dark. Lots of info and good enthusiastic staff. Wrap up warm!
From NZ$55.00
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