Otago Peninsula In-Depth Tour & Blue Penguins Pukekura Experience
Overview
Available languages
5 hours
Mobile ticket
If you are a visitor that truly wants to see and understand the unique ecosystems, wildlife, culture, geology and botany of the Otago Peninsula then join this tour.
We see a variety of wildlife species along the way (Note: seasonal).
At Pukekura we have a good chance to see seals nearby & albatross flying overhead.
Later we join our Blue Penguins Pukekura Experience tour, see the world's smallest penguin emerging from the sea and walking past us just metres away. Note: Others join us for this experience (max 75)
PHOTOGRAPHY IS ALLOWED (no flash)
We will 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.
As a Charitable Trust our aim is to look after our reserve and protect the Otago Peninsula's largest penguin colony.
Voted in the top 10 TripAdvisor's Best Experiences in New Zealand 2023.
Additional Info
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
We have a minimum age requirement of 18 to participate on this tour
Visitors need to be able to walk 300m unaided and manage stairs (about 60 stairs inbuilt along our walkway leading to our viewing platform). Tour and vehicles are not suitable for very young children.
Bring warm clothes we are outside for much of the tour, it can get very cold after dark.
Note we can't have umbrellas on the penguin viewing platform as eye risk to others
MINIMUM AGE OF 18 TO PARTICIPATE this is not a tour for children
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Dunedin
For those joining us from Dunedin we pass by some of the most famous buildings in the city before heading out onto the Otago Peninsula. This 30 minutes does include pick-up times. This part of the journey isn't available for those joining our bus from the Larnach Castle pick-up because the Castle is situated out on the Otago Peninsula.
Otago Peninsula
An In-Depth tour of the geology, human history, botany and zoology of the Otago Peninsula. A tour designed by Lyndon Perriman, former wildlife ranger who spent 30 years working on the Otago Peninsula. Known as the wildlife capital of New Zealand, the Otago Peninsula has a wealth of wildlife and ever-changing scenery around each corner. Departing Dunedin be whisked away in one of our vehicles heading for the spectacular wild side of the Otago Peninsula. See incredible wild coastal views, stunning wildlife and highly productive marine environments. This is a tour designed for those that have a thirst for knowledge of the environment. We also explore and weave stories pertaining to some of the most significant sites used by Māori who were here centuries before European arrival. On this part of our journey we encounter a range of wading bird species and some coastal sea bird species.
What‘s Included
All Fees and Taxes
Air-conditioned vehicle
Options
Otago Peninsula In-Depth Tour & Blue Penguins Pukekura Experience
Pickup included
Reviews
181 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Pukekura penguin perfection
Craig W,Mar 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing experience - 100% recommended. Jono was a fantastic and really knowledgeable guide and told us so much about the local wildlife and New Zealand history. We saw albatross, seals, a sea lio, spoonbills, herons, black swans, paradise ducks, kingfishers, oyster catchers, stilts and so much more. But the tour highlight is obviously the penguins - they're so close and totally unphased by humans. Watching them come out the ocean, make their way up the beach (and occasionally get wiped out by a wave and pulled back into the surf) was wonderful, and being surrounded by the sound of their calls, the roar of the ocean and the howl of the wind in the dark made it feel very atmospheric. The tour is good value - it's 5 hours and includes pick up and drop off in Dunedin - and the money from the tours goes towards conserving and protecting the penguins and the wildlife, so your enjoyment is doing good.
An experience to remember.
trelise,Mar 25, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was an amazing evening - James was a wonderful guide who gave an informative talk on the journey to the beginning of the Otago peninsula - some time to see the Otago peninsula/birdwatching and then kindly dropped us off at the end of the evening. And the Penguin experience was perfect sighting the penguins as they came ashore & also the albatross priort - the background history and the enthusiasm of the staff added to this. Absolutely recoommend.
Suitable for people without self-driving
Voyage47662935440,Mar 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The guide is very good, and the explanation is very careful. Such itinerary arrangement is also great, perfect for travellers who do not drive by themselves.
Breathtaking blue penguin sighting!
hilerys2023,Mar 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Seeing the tiny penguins return from the sea to their burrows was breathtaking. Incredibly knowledgeable guide that shared a wealth of knowledge about Dunedin’s wildlife! The tour included gorgeous views of the Otago peninsula.
Magical experience ...
MrM H,Mar 14, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It was an excellent tour, it covered both sides of the coast on the peninsula. Stopped at various viewing points and stopped at various water inlets where we could see a number of different species of birds. A snack bar was provided enroute. At the Royal Albatross Centre there was the possibility to see Royal Albatross flying in the sky (not guaranteed). There was a talk on the penguins. Time to browse in the shop. Then we went down to the platforms where we waited to see the penguins come in from the sea. It was well organised on the platforms where they used a rotation format so everyone got a chance to see/photograph the penguins from different spots. There were hot drinks and soup available close to the platform. It was a magical experience. The staff were excellent and informative. Sian was our guide for the tour. Highly recommend.
Great journey, good guide but few penguins
RubySiganporia,Mar 14, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00The tour was very well planned. The tour guide was extremely well versed in the geography and history of the region and the spoke with his heart. He gave us enough time to soak in the scenery and gave various stops along the way. But, the penguins were not as many as told. They were much smaller than told and too far away to satisfactorily and completely view. The lady who gave a presentation turned out to have embellished it. The viewing platform fell short of the people. The only solace was that the poor little penguins were left untouched. I may mention that I have taken many Viator tours and given my feedback. Thay are all good. The one tour which was below part has been quietly left out of the review. The zipline at Queenstown was on a site which was deplorable. All the trees were cut and strewn about with the earth being plain dust on which we had to walk up the barren hill. Though there also the guides were efficient, the view was nothing. The gondola was a fraud. It was on a barren rock without view. It's ticket had to be separately purchased. Not strangely that Vistor has not asked for the review of only that tour !!! This is the review of Viator itself. It is time Viator asks for what the tourists feel for itself also.
Recommendation Pukepura Experience
Kerstin L,Mar 14, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Amazing! Professional and educational. Possibility to view birds and penguins in an small group of 8 persons in the bird tour and about 25 at the Blue Penguin view.
Perfect Penguin Tour
F8946YBemmar,Mar 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was ann amazing experience. James gave us an awesome tour out to the Wildlife Reserve - very informative, he made stops for photos and bird-watching and even had a little snack for us. The discussion prior to penguin viewing was awesome by Siam was well-delivered, funny, informative and interactive. The guides were top notch. We were all given an opportunity in different areas of the viewing deck with opportunities for photos ( flash less of course). Perfect tour and evening. They’re doing some fantastic work !!! 10/10
So much more than just penguins!
johQ1673MJ,Mar 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Learnt more about history of Dunedin, the Peninsular, taken to see some bird life, Maori buildings and a great talk about the blue penguins and viewing their return from the sea. Sian, our driver even returned us to our holiday park. Thank you.
Blue penguins
titemariet,Mar 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Experience to do, the wait was, in my opinion, a bit long but it is worth it These blue penguins are tiny and there are plenty 😁
From NZ$165.00
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