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
169 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
An amazing evening. Five...
Jay S,,Feb 25, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00An amazing evening. Five hours long and it felt like it was over way to soon. Our guide had amazing knowledge of all things relating to everything both in the sea and in the air. The Penguin experience is truly a once in a lifetime event and should be on everyone's bucket list
Wildlife and culture with phenomenal staff
BCinTO,,Feb 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The Otago Peninsula In-Depth Tour & Blue Penguins Pukekura Experience was the highlight of my New Zealand trip! It was amazing and interesting and the guides, James and Rene, made it all so much fun! I would highly recommend signing up for this tour if you enjoy new experiences and wildlife. Everyone was thoughtful to the wildlife and guests, providing information and a comfortable outing. It was well planned and the staff were very knowledgeable. Thank you SO MUCH, James and Rene!
Visit to see the Penguins
Eric H,,Feb 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our guide wasDanni. We learned lots about penguins history and Maui culture. She and her colleagues gave a very impressive presentation on the penguins and also on the albatross the evening was capped with a good viewing of the penguins coming to shore and returning to their nests thank you all for a wonderful visit
Amazing experience with...
Robert S,,Feb 6, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Amazing experience with extremely knowledgeable staff. Best vacation excursion of our trip to NZ. Highly recommend
Outstanding tour!
Betty K,,Feb 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I would give this tour a 10 if I could. So well done! The tour operator does an outstanding job. We saw about 100 little blue penguins come in from the day of feeding. We had tons of time and were not rushed at all. The tour before the penguin viewing was very informative and interesting. We saw all kinds of birds and sea lions. Thoroughly enjoyed this tour. Worth every penny. Sian, our guide, was excellent!
An absolute ‘must do’ in Dunedin!
Betty K,,Feb 5, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Incredible experience that you can only have on the Otago Peninsula. It was THE highlight of our trip to Dunedin. Excellent value for money. Our driver/guide, Sian, was super knowledgeable about all kinds of birds and animals. She was excellent. I can’t say enough great things about this tour!
Not to be missed
beddau99,,Jan 28, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00An unbelievable experience not to be missed if you're in this area. Book a daytime tour to see baby penguins, or a night-time experience to watch the penguins return home after a day at sea catching fish. Which ever you choose you won't be disappointed.
Blue penguins galore!
Janine G,,Jan 25, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00What an amazing experience. Saw over 120 penguins come to shore in one hour! Excellent info and presentation also.
This tour delivered
Escape56131555341,,Jan 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The entire experience was wonderful. Our guide, Danni, shared so much knowledge about the area on our way to the viewing. The viewing area was perfect. We saw over 100 penguins come up to shore and waddle to their nest. I liked that we did not disturb our disrupt them. I would recommended this trip.
Absolutely amazing
Denise C,,Jan 19, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Absolutely amazing trip, the team are friendly, knowledgeable and professional, from hotel pick up to drop of the trip was well organised, lovely clean and comfortable transport The platform to I see the penguins is fantastic they come so close and everybody gets a chance to see them. We were fortunate to all see a sea lion
From NZ$165.00
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