Blue Penguins Pukekura Experience Otago Peninsula, New Zealand
Overview
Available languages
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
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
Blue Penguins Pukekura Experience Otago Peninsula, New Zealand
What‘s Included
All Fees and Taxes
No transport provided, guests need to drive themselves to our reserve
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
515 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
The Best for Every Reason!
Marianne A,Jun 19, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The tour starts with a very informative talk by expert guides inside the albatross center, moving out to the viewing platform that is specially lit to watch the Penguins come in for the night. Because of where, and how it is situated, you can see them very closely; some of them even live underneath the platform, and the sound they make in their nests is quite hilarious – I got a sound recording just of the noise! The admission fee helps to support the work and everything is centered toward caring for the penguins, which made us so happy to be there, as well as to make our major purchases for the trip in the gift shop, which we actually came back the next day to do. I can’t recommend these folks more highly – come and have this experience – you won’t regret it!
An incredible experience
Getaway657913,Jun 19, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00An amazing experience not to be missed when visiting Dunedin. Staff are very informative and we were lucky to see 42 penguins come ashore.
Penguin time
Kate G,Jun 15, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00Well organised by guides commuted to the environment and passionate about penguins. The penguins emerged later than expected and the guides happily stayed late to ensure everyone had the opportunity to see the late (penguin) comers.
Go see the penguins!!
samantharA6212BN,Jun 13, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fantastic! Started with an educational chat, then out to the viewing platform. We saw one fur seal and one sea lion before the main event- the Waddles!!! We saw around 45-60 penguins make their way up the beach!! Those penguins 'at home' were very vocal! Elliott, Rene and Jono were knowledgeable and friendly! The sky cleared and we even got a quick astronomy lesson!! It was just wonderful!
Best part of the trip
Trek53004243146,Jun 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The commentary section were super. It's helps me and my family to understand more about the penguin. There's a penguin highway for us to check the road that the they walk home. Close and bright. They also allow photo. Happy
Excellent tour well worthwhile
JasK1973,Jun 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The team that provided this tour are extremely passionate and give a great tour
Must visit
lowsue2021,Jun 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Highly recommended. Well organized. Friendly tour guides
Fantastic time visiting the penguins
Safari47745397411,Jun 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We absolutely loved our visit to the penguins. We took our 5 year old daughter and she was buzzing after and has been telling all her friends. Great session beforehand learning about the history of the area and the penguins. The guides were great at the viewing platform sharing more info. The penguins were gorgeous. Definitely recommend a visit.
Blue Penguins of Pukekura Experience is definitely worth it!
E9179KKmichelles,Jun 1, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We loved our Blue Penguins Pukekura Experience! The information session was so well done and engaging that I could have listened to more. The staff were very helpful and the drive out to Otago Peninsula was beautiful. Definitely well priced and so happy we booked ahead as we would have missed out if left to the last minute. The viewing area and atmosphere while waiting for the penguins was lovely and we enjoyed a beautiful sunset. And then the penguins started to arrive.....so cute and surprisingly fast. Plenty of time to watch and listen to them.
Awesome night with the little blues
Happiness12919466327,Jun 1, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The talk at the start of the tour was really good, clear information and what to look out for and the sounds the penguins make. Our 11 year daughter loved seeing the penguins and we saw around 50 the night we went. The guides were amazing with all the information about the area and animals and birds. Lots of space to see penguins from different areas on the platform. We were there around 20 min before tour started, was not enough time to have good look around the gift shop and go to rest room( was a line ) as this was not open after the tour ends. We stayed the whole time allowed as there were lots of penguins still making their way to other nest so lots of time to see them. The hot chocolate and cookie were great to have on a cold night, We were all very pleased with this tour. We felt the coast was really good for the amount of penguins we saw and time to watch and listen to them.
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