Wildlife and Penguin Tour

Overview

Available languages

German

English

Italian

French

Spanish

1 hour 30 minutes

Mobile ticket

We invite you to join us for an experience unlike any other in New Zealand on one of our guided Wildlife and Penguin Tour.

Penguins, fur seals, sea lions, shore and land birds, native fauna, and more await you within our private reserve. Best of all, by taking a tour you are joining our work, as tour operations directly fund the conservation, rehabilitation, restoration, and education initiatives at The OPERA.

Additional Info

Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap

Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries

Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health

Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

Use of high quality binoculars

Guide

Complimentary waterproof jackets

Alcoholic Beverages

What To Expect

The Otago Peninsula Eco Restoration Alliance

Our Wildlife & Penguin tour offers the most exclusive opportunity in New Zealand to view the endangered, yellow-eyed penguins (hoiho), in their natural habitat. This 90-minute guided tour consists of three parts. Our guests begin their experience in a theatre setting, where they learn about the yellow-eyed penguin and our conservation efforts to protect them. Guests then move into our rehabilitation centre (when penguins are present) where yellow-eyed penguins and other penguin species can be seen up close. Finally, guests take a short bus trip into our reserve where they are guided on an approximately 2km (1.25 mile) nature walk with the potential to see numerous plants and animals, including yellow-eyed penguins and little penguins, fur seals, sea lions, and several species of shore and land birds, all of which reside in the reserve.

1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Included

Options

Wildlife and Penguin Tour

Reviews

4.67

15 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

The Hoiho are so very...
Candice T,
Feb 26, 2025
- Viator
5.00
The Hoiho are so very special and what you learn and experience here at OPERA is heart warming and beautiful. I want to donate my life to this project, if I could.
It’s just ok. Too much time for very little to see.
Jeff S,
Jan 31, 2025
- Viator
3.00
Not much to see expect for a few pingouins in recovery behind the fence. Saw a couple of seals, barely one pingouin very far away. Beautiful drive to the sanctuary.
All elements of experience fantastic
Jo W,
Jan 23, 2025
- Viator
5.00
Great variety of experiences with wonderful staff who were friendly, approachable and informative. Such a highlight to see wildlife up close and the yellow eyed penguin at the Rehabilitation Centre.
Great Visit
JoginderKumar M,
Dec 19, 2024
- Viator
5.00
We were very lucky to see yellow eyed penguins. The pair was at the beach for a long time ! I feel the late afternoon or evening tours are better.
Lovely little tour
Fiona B,
Dec 3, 2024
- Viator
5.00
Lovely little tour which explains all of the conservation work being done, as well as seeing some penguins in rehabilitation and then going out to find some wildlife. We did see a few nesting penguins and several sea lions & seals. Frankie was fantastic as answering any questions and also gave us some foraging tips with the local plants (including taste testing!). Whilst it’s quite out of the way from Dunedin but I would say it’s worth it, especially as all of the money goes straight back into the amazing conservation project.