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
Please note , Children must be at least 6 years old to participate in this tour.
To participate children must be at least 6 years old (Vehicles don't carry small child restraints)
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
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
155 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Otago Peninsula and little blue penguins tour
ericpV9919TN,,Dec 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Jono, our guide, was very knowledgeable about the many birds and wildlife that we saw, on several stops, along our Otago Peninsula route. On the way to the little blue penguins. Elliot, at the Royal albatross center was also quite detailed in his presentation, to the point that I got a bit impatient, nervous that we would miss the penguins emerging from the water. Suggestion - please let the audience know the duration of the presentation and the timing for the evenings itinerary to avoid impatience or anxiety. All in all, a wonderful experience, even though it was a cold, windy, rainy night. Highly recommend this tour and a big thank you and congratulations to the crew for doing such a wonderful job of rehabilitating the little blue penguins.
A Class Act
MaryJane G,,Dec 27, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This is a very worthwhile tour, with not only the penguin viewing but lots of information on the history, geology, stars, and birds of this beautiful peninsula. I was impressed with the depth of knowledge in the interesting narrative along the way. The Little Penguin viewing is well-managed by this nonprofit trust to protect the penguins while allowing close viewing as they come ashore. Excellent price for the experience too.
Wonderful penguin and bird trip
GrandTour14700541906,,Dec 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Very well managed. Lovely tour around the Ortago peninsular first looking at geology, wildlife, local culture - able to visit the local marai (only from the outside). The wetlands and the amount of birdlife seen was so worthwhile. All was interesting. James our guide was knowledgeable and approachable. So enthusiastic. No question was left unanswered. The little blue penguins were something else. The initial talk was informative and helpful. I was able to use what was discussed to understand some of the penguin behaviour. We must have seen 100 - 150 penguns approach the beach as a raft, form a waddle on the beach then climb the rocks, mud and any obstacles to greet their partner who then do the reverse journey out to sea. So lovely. Well managed throughout. It is good to support a local charity whose aim is to protect the wildlife.,
A wonderful opportunity to visit the little blue penguins run by an incredible organisation
Meriel A,,Dec 17, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Really enjoyed this tour - we were collected from the city centre and taken to the centre via the otago peninsula. Our guide Jono had an in depth knowledge of all these amazing birds that we spotted as well as telling us the stories of the Māori tribes who had lived in the area. When we got to the centre we had Time to explore the facilities / gift shop before there was a presentation giving us more information about the penguins and Māori migration. Further to the interesting presentation we all headed down to the viewing platform. The organisation and workers clearly care deeply for these amazing penguins and we were lucky enough to see about 130 return home. It was wonderful to see them in a reverse zoo situation where it’s the humans who are restricted to specific areas rather than the penguins.
Excellent tour.
Grainne M,,Dec 9, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00A great experience especially for a single female travelling alone. We had a small group and were so well looked after - I even got to sit in the front of the van to avoid being travel sick. Our guide Jono was incredibly knowledgeable about the natural habitat of the peninsula as well as some of the social history of Dunedin and managed to deal with all of the questions that we had. It was a great way to see over 150 little blue penguins and we were within touching distance of them, with the chance to take numerous photos and videos and to just watch them do their thing. The guides explained what the behaviour of the penguins meant and it was a once in a lifetime experience that I'm so glad I was able to take.
Lots of penguins despite rain
Charlotte A,,Nov 21, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Great evening with Danni who is so knowledgeable and sweet. We really enjoyed it. It was a rainy evening and unfortunately no wind, which meant we didn’t see any albatross. However, we saw LOTS of penguins and many more than we had imagined. It was great.
Blue penguins galore.
E9624JEjennyp,,Nov 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Danni our tour guide is very well informed and knowledgeable about the area and history. It gets cold after dark so take a hat and wear warm clothes. It’s a long but easy walk down the cliff path to watch the penguins but lovely experience.
what a great time.
Sightsee47770790784,,Nov 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Im a canadian living in Blenheim and my family came to visit. We did this tour and it was amazing. Beautiful views rich history and unforgettable penguin moments. Jonathan was our tour guide and he's what we in canada call a beauty, Clark.
Amazing experience!!
KatyBcTravels,,Nov 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This tour made for an absolutely magical experience! Sian was our guide, and she was very friendly and knowledgeable. She gave us plenty of time to take photos as we explored the inlets, and she shared a ton of interesting information about the Otago Peninsula with us along the way. The penguin viewing was so amazing - the experience was very organized, all three guides shared a lot of information about the penguins and made sure that everyone was able to take great photos, and seeing/hearing so many penguins come home to their nests was one of the coolest things ever. Everyone that works here truly cares about the penguins and conservation, which adds to the magic of the entire experience.
Great tour.
Barbara L,,Nov 5, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great way to learn about the area and wildlife. Very knowledgeable guides and great viewing of the blue penguins. They moved all the people around well to ensure everyone got a chance to see the penguins close up.
From NZ$165.00
Want a private experience? Upgrade to a private tour
Related Experiences
Operated by Blue Penguins Pukekura