The 13 Best Penguin Tours in New Zealand

1.Oamaru: Penguins Evening Viewing Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 682 reviews · 1h 30m · from $28Our pick

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

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

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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3.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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4.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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5.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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6.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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7.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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8.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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9.Iconic Wildlife Tour with Yellow Eyed Penguins & Royal Albatross

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 33 reviews · from $245

Spend about seven hours exploring Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula with guides such as Kim, Jo, Greg, or Alan. Visit a private wildlife reserve for yellow-eyed penguins and fur seals, stop at the Royal Albatross Centre, and see Baldwin Street and Dunedin Railway Station. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.

“Small tour bus from Viator for wildlife tour which picked us up from the cruise terminal, we drove through town on the way towards the Penguins. We learned about the endangered yellow eyed blue penguins and got to see their program to shelter injured penguins and the process of reintegrating them into natural environment. There is a moderate amount of walking in various places during the day. We walked by the coast to see some of the fur seals basking in the sun. I would have liked to go to the Lamach castle but the guide stated we didn't have time. We did however, spend time at the Albatross center…”

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10.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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11.Wildlife and Penguin Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 27 reviews · from $46

Spend 90 minutes at the Otago Peninsula Eco Restoration Alliance learning about hoiho conservation, seeing penguins in rehabilitation, and walking a reserve with binoculars and waterproof jackets. Wildlife sightings vary, but the small group, short bus ride, and close-up care centre add real value.

“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.”

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12.Clearwater Private Penguin & Wildlife Tour from Port Otago (5hrs)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews

From Port Chalmers, a private 4WD tour takes you across the Otago Peninsula to Clearwater farm at Cape Saunders. Expect yellow-eyed penguins, New Zealand sea lions, fur seals, seabirds, private viewing hides, warm jackets, binoculars, and local commentary from guides including Rachel.

“Gobsmacking wildlife & stellar scenery views / explanations about the habits of local birds/ the albatross/sea lions/ fur seals. We were fortunate to be able to view , by chance, an 800 pound sea lion move in stealthily on a fur seal cub & try Read more”

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13.Otago Peninsula Scenery & Little Blue Penguin tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · from $146

Travel by minibus from Dunedin’s Octagon along Highcliff Road and Hooper’s Inlet, with guide Asta sharing local wildlife knowledge. After free time at the Albatross Centre, walk to a beach deck for a 1.5-hour Little Blue penguin viewing at sunset. Warm clothes and steady walking shoes are essential.

“Asta was a really fantastic guide. Knows the area and wildlife really well. Would recommend to those who would like to see a little more of the penninsular in addition to the penguins ( which were gorgeous of course!).”

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