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

434 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

417

We enjoyed this...
William G,
Sep 5, 2025
- Viator
4.00
We enjoyed this experience, but it would have been better had we been warned about the location being prone to high winds which made the temperature that much colder. We froze!! While they did offer hot drinks, there was no toilets after you left the center, as it closed, so everyone was concerned about having a drink. The staff was terrific, and we highly reccommend, but be prepared that the weather can be much different than downtown Dunedin.
loved it
Maeve C,
Sep 4, 2025
- Viator
5.00
so fun!!! saw so many penguins such a cool experience - okay i need to say more - i loved it -it was fun
So cute
Megumi Z,
Aug 30, 2025
- Viator
5.00
You can see the march of penguins right in front of you! It was very cold , rainy and windy but absolutely worth it.
It was fun, informative...
Dave H,
Aug 28, 2025
- Viator
5.00
It was fun, informative and a great experience. We saw 110 penguins waddling quickly up the hill beside us!
Penguins are Social Beings just like us
Shona M,
Jul 11, 2025
- Viator
5.00
Your in a natural environment so need to be patient. The wait was worth it. The presenter was excellent in her delivery of the life cycle of the penguin and how it survives. Also her local knowledge of the area was informative