Guided Evening Penguin Viewing Otago Peninsula, Dunedin, New Zealand

Overview

Available languages

English

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‘s Included

All Fees and Taxes

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

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.

Options

Guided Evening Penguin Viewing Otago Peninsula, Dunedin, New Zealand

Reviews

4.95

463 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

444

Must do for nature lovers
Kathryn R,
Dec 8, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Super views of little blue penguins and well delivered interesting presentation. Well worth the trip.
a dunedin must!
J8449WGashleym,
Dec 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
amazing experience. was so cool to see the fairy/blue penguins up close, and to see so many in one place. would definitely recommend this experience to anyone visiting dunedin or the surrounding areas.
Very nice, but too big a group
Jörg R,
Dec 5, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00
Very nice experience, but too many people on the plateau, so there was always crowding when new penguins appeared
Amazing penguin experience with plenty for all to see
Tulip Muncher,
Dec 5, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Our family had a fantastic evening seeing the blue penguins. The tour starts off at the Albatross Centre with a talk about the penguins and some Maori history before you all make your way down to the viewing platform. The guides ensure the group rotates around the viewing area to ensure everyone gets a good look. On the night we went, four rafts came ashore while we were there so there were plenty of penguins to see. Starts late in summer due to the light so may not be the best activity for small kids. Thoroughly recommend if you are in the area.
Great magical experience for the family
Trip62629935765,
Dec 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Just magical. The children still talk about the little penguins waddling up the beach. The staff were great and super knowledgeable.
Great to experience this live
CorBock,
Dec 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Great experience, as about 270 penguins came ashore at this time of year. Already crazy sweet.... and a big thank you to the guides. Great explanations.
Just brilliant!
emmao76522,
Nov 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Fabulous! Really good and informative presentation, followed by a walk down to the beach to watch 230+ penguins come ashore. Guides were very knowledgeable and friendly, and the grouo size small enough to ensure everyone had chance to see the penguins. Overall a brilliant wxoerience!
Go in November to see the baby chicks!
Paula H,
Nov 18, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Go in November so you can see the little chick's! They are so cute. We saw hundreds of blue penguins and lots of baby chick's. The platform really makes everything very viewable.
Amazing! Soo many cute penguins
166linea,
Nov 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Wonderfull guides, they were freindly and informative, and we saw soo, soo many penguins. Great expirence, I will 100% recommend this tour to everyone.
Small Penguin observation night.
Caroline M,
Nov 14, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Wrap up warm if it's cold and wet. Don't take umbrellas. A good talk about penguins, but no Q&A session afterwards. The 3 staff can answer Qs after talk, if they are not busy. Coffee and hot chocolate available while observing penguins. Not the best drinks but warm and wet.