The 15 Best Birdwatching Tours in New Zealand

1.Gannet Safaris Overland tour to Cape Kidnappers Gannet Colony

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 942 reviews · from $61Our pick

Drive across private Cape Kidnappers Station in a rugged, air-conditioned minivan, stopping at viewpoints before reaching the gannet plateau. Guides such as Marcus, Jan, Mick, and Tony add stories about farming, wildlife, and local history. The three-hour tour includes tea or coffee and very little walking.

“Fabulous trip. The guides were so knowledgeable….we learnt so much about the gannets but also about farming in the area. To see so many birds together in one place was amazing.”

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2.Oamaru: Penguins Evening Viewing Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 682 reviews · 1h 30m · from $28Best value

At Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony, you’ll watch the world’s smallest penguins come ashore after fishing and hurry toward their nesting boxes, often within 10 to 15 metres. Local guides explain their biology and conservation work. Bring warm clothes, leave cameras behind, and expect a quiet, carefully managed evening.

“Was really lovely to see the penguins coming back for the night after a day out fishing. I felt the guides could have given some information about them beforehand. It was just as easy to see the penguins on the street so not sure about value for money other than it contributed to research.”

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3.Guided Evening Penguin Viewing Otago Peninsula, Dunedin, New Zealand

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 471 reviews · from $34

Drive to Blue Penguins Pukekura on the Otago Peninsula for a 90-minute evening visit led by biologists and conservation guides, including Leon and Shane. Learn about local Māori and European history, walk 300 metres to a viewing platform, and watch little blue penguins come ashore just metres away. Photography is allowed without flash.

“It was so incredible! Bring tons of warm clothes and make sure to eat dinner before you go as it is a late night.”

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4.Napier: Cape Kidnappers Gannet, Nature & Sightseeing Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 317 reviews · 3 hours · from $59

Ride across Cape Kidnappers in a comfortable 4x4 with guides such as Jan, Marcus, or Trevor, then stand a few feet from thousands of gannets. Expect striking cliffs, Maori stories, forest and conservation stops, light refreshments, and no required walking.

“excellent tour. Our guide grew up on the farm and was full of fascinating stories of the past as well as interesting facts about the present - the wildlife, the lodge, the pest control and of course, the gannets”

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5.Dunedin: Wildlife and Penguin Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 239 reviews · 1h 30m · from $44

Visit The OPERA’s private Otago Peninsula reserve with a live English-speaking guide such as Emma or Eden. You’ll watch a conservation film, visit the penguin rehabilitation centre when birds are present, then walk about 2 km through habitat where yellow-eyed penguins, little penguins, seals, sea lions, and seabirds may appear.

“The penguins came right up to us in the trenches, as interested in us as we were in them. The guide had never seen them do that before either so was just as excited as the group. Got to see fur seals, and all types of penguins out on the peninsula also!”

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6.Albatross, seals, and sea birds-Wildlife Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 189 reviews · from $105

Join Rachel on a small-group wildlife cruise from Port Chalmers, or Portobello for a longer outing. The custom-built Sootychaser has a heated cabin, open deck, binoculars, and identification sheets. Expect harbor history, sea birds, fur seals, possible penguins, dolphins, and royal albatross.

“The captain- Rachael, was very friendly and knowledgeable. Even though the seas were a bit bumpy, she tried very hard to identify the wildlife while trying to make it as comfortable for the passengers as she could, while we bounced around”

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7.Otago Peninsula In-Depth Tour & Blue Penguins Pukekura Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 163 reviews · from $102

Travel from Dunedin across the Otago Peninsula with guides such as Jonathan, Danni, James, and Sian. Learn about Māori culture, geology, plants, and wildlife, then watch little blue penguins come ashore at Pukekura from a close viewing platform. Warm clothes are essential.

“Fabulous scenery and information. James the guide was such a lovely person and gave great info and took us on a tour of the peninsulla before arriving to see the penquins. An amazing experience. My sole reason for travelling to this part of New Zealand. And i certainly wasnt disappointed. So well managed with the welfare of the penquins first priority as it should be”

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8.Akaroa: Pohatu Penguins Scenic Nature 2-Hour or 4-Hour Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 125 reviews · 2 - 4 hours · from $56

Travel by 4WD from Akaroa over an extinct volcano’s crater rim to Pohatu Bay. Meet farm sheep, spot little penguins and seals, hear local stories, and learn about conservation from guides such as Kevin, Joey, or Meg. Choose two hours, or four hours with cliff-top views and tea with homemade baking.

“We learnt a great deal about the NZ blue penguin and the need for conservation. The differences between the Australian blue penguin and the New Zealand blue and that they can cross breed. Our guide was very informative and enthusiastic about the subject excellent tour.”

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9.Akaroa: Pohatu Little Penguins 3-Hour Evening Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 119 reviews · 3 hours · from $68

Travel by 4WD from Akaroa to Pohatu, or Flea Bay, with guides such as Ben, Mona, Tayla, and Kevin sharing stories of wildlife and conservation. You will check nesting boxes, use binoculars, and watch for penguins returning to shore without artificial lights.

“We had a wonderful tour that started with a 30 minute drive over a mountain with two stops with incredible views. During this time we learned about Akoroa and about the natural species of New Zealamd in addition to information about the pohatu penguins. We got to feed sheep, see baby penguins in nests and spot penguins in the bay. This activity was educational and unique. Gayla and Mona were great guides.”

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10.Dunedin Wildlife Cruise-Albatross, seals and harbour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 115 reviews · from $105

Join Rachel of Port To Port Cruises for a 90 to 120 minute wildlife cruise on Otago Harbour. From Port Chalmers or Portobello, you’ll look for albatross, seals, sea lions, penguins, shags, dolphins, and other sea birds, with binoculars, warm jackets, and live commentary provided.

“The arrangement via viator was well organized. Rachel, the captain, was on time and very personable and gave a great tour. She also provided us with a great photo sheet with all the possible birds and animals that could be observed in the area and we were able to check off quite a few of them seeing them first hand. We really appreciated the attention to detail by Rachel who contacted us and provided us better planning options for us to meet her at a better location which saved us considerable time and money.”

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11.Auckland (Tawharanui): Wild Kiwi Bird Spotting Encounter

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 78 reviews · 2 hours · from $89

Meet your guide near the public toilets at Tāwharanui Regional Park for a quiet night walk in search of wild kiwi. Guides such as Legend, Chris, Millie, and Lucas combine tracking, stargazing, Māori astronomy, and conservation stories. Transport and glamping are optional extras.

“What an incredible experience! We saw 7+ kiwi; a male & female couple huddled together, a baby further down the track and the rest scattered throughout the park! This had been a dream of mine ever since childhood in the 1970’s, where nobody saw wild kiwi, so when we heard the population numbers had grown throughout NZ whilst living overseas the last 14 years, we were ecstatic and had to make a booking, and wow, we were not disappointed! Our Tour guide Lucas was a legend! He blew us away with such passion for his job, to come out on a drizzly winter night for two curious individuals, to pour…”

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12.Dunedin City Highlights, Otago Peninsula Scenery & a Guided Penguin Reserve Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 77 reviews · from $198

Explore Dunedin with guides such as Teresa, Asta, or Warren, then follow the Otago Peninsula to the OPERA reserve. Expect city sights, botanic gardens, scenic photo stops, and a guided search for yellow-eyed and little blue penguins. Wildlife sightings are possible, not guaranteed.

“Teresa was a fantastic driver and guide-she thought of everything to make us comfortable-from microfiber cloth to clean the windows to gingers for motion sickness to wet wipes, tissues and extra bags for shopping. She also wove us souvenirs! The sights were amazing, with plenty of time for photos. Her knowledge of and passion for the area was contagious. We really enjoyed the penguins. And the history of the area was fascinating.”

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13.Dunedin: Otago Peninsula with Guided Penguin Reserve Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 66 reviews · 6 hours · from $191

Meet Fantail Tours at Port Chalmers for a six-hour introduction to Dunedin, the Railway Station, Botanical Gardens, and Otago Peninsula. Guides such as Asta, Teresa, Josh, and Warren lead the day, ending at The Opera reserve, where conservation comes before guaranteed penguin sightings.

“Loved the nature walk at Opera and seeing the penguins. Warren was a very informative guide. He was very easy to listen to. The tour was a variety of things to see and do. It worked well for our day off the cruise ship.”

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14.Bird Watching and Dolphin Eco-Tour to Blumine Island

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 55 reviews

From E-Ko Tours in Picton, you cruise Queen Charlotte Sound with a marine guide and captain, watch for dolphins and seabirds, then visit predator-free Blumine Island. Expect rare orange-fronted kakariki, king shags, possible penguins and seals, light refreshments, and about 3 to 4 hours on the water.

“Fantastic day out with beautiful scenery to view on the Sounds. Captain took particular attention looking for the wildlife. We saw fur seals, penguins and king cormorants. Spending an hour on the island was great. Will our guide had a wealth of knowledge of the area as we cruised and of the wildlife on the island. A well worthwhile trip.”

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15.Akaroa: Wildlife Cruise with Dolphins and Penguins

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 27 reviews · 3 hours · from $77

Spend three hours sailing Akaroa Harbour and the Pacific Ocean aboard the 1922 wooden ketch Fox II. A small crew shares French, Māori, and English history while you look for Hector’s dolphins, little blue penguins, seals, albatrosses, and seabirds. Tea, coffee, biscuits, and warm coats are provided.

“A wonderful sail around Akaroa Harbour with close encounters with dolphins and seabirds and informative narrative about both human and natural history.”

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