Discover Kororā, the Little Blue Penguin, the world's smallest penguin.

At dusk, enjoy close up views of penguins returning from a day at sea to the Takiharuru/Pilots Beach nature reserve. We are the kaitiaki/guardians of this reserve and strive to improve the habitat for penguins and other wildlife. We now have the largest colony on penguins on the entire Otago Peninsula.

Watch from a purpose built observation deck as kororā scurry up the beach to head towards their burrows. Often stopping for preening or penguin socialisation just a metre or two from us, it is one of the best opportunities to study natural penguin behaviour up close!

Tour includes an introductory talk on the biology of the penguins and fascinating history of the reserve, a reserve that is a highly significant site to Māori.

Viewing of the Little Blue Penguins is guaranteed and this is an attraction not to be missed when visiting Dunedin, NZ's wildlife capital.

It's the mission of Blue Penguins Pukekura to ensure the protection of the land and increase the diversity of wildlife in this nature reserve, while also ensuring visitors experience one of nature’s marvels. We want our guests to have an experience of a lifetime (Our visitor reviews often say this was their best wildlife experience in New Zealand).

IN THE TOP 10 BEST EXPERIENCES IN NEW ZEALAND TripAdvisor 2023

Number 1 on TripAdvisor for all Dunedin Tours and Activities: 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025.

BLUE PENGUINS PUKEKURA (Dunedin) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (tripadvisor.co.nz)

Joining us on one of our tours means you are directly contributing to conserving the largest penguin colony on the Otago Peninsula.

As guardians we have exclusive access to our colony to view the penguins returning from the sea at night.

In the 1980’s and 1990’s the reserve was managed by another organisation and during that period there was a declining penguin population (with a record low of just 6 pairs then).

Now managed by Blue Penguins Pukekura, we have over 250 penguin pairs today, making it the largest penguin colony on the Otago Peninsula!

As a Charitable Trust we are entirely funded from visitors joining us to see the nightly arrival of the penguins that funds this conservation work. During the tour our friendly staff look after you, you get to have one-on-one conversations with our expert knowledgeable staff and experience extremely close views of penguins (very close views) and in joining us, we get to look after the penguins, their home, other wildlife and reforest the reserve. It’s an awesome experience !

CHOOSE THE TOUR THAT’S RIGHT FOR YOU !

To help you choose which option is best for you, please choose from the following 2 options:

1. Blue Penguins Pukekura Experience Tour:

• Our most popular tour (often sold out on the night and sometimes weeks/months ahead).

• Watch penguins emerge from the sea and walk past us just metres away.

• Excellent photographic opportunities of penguins and sunset.

• Rated in Top 10 TripAdvisor reviews for all of New Zealand (2023).

• Penguin viewing guaranteed.

• Available 365 nights a year (starts at dusk), 1.5-hour tour (requires own transport to get to us). For those without a car, or for those that actually want to get a much deeper insight into all things related to the Otago Peninsula join our longer Otago Peninsula In-Depth Tour which also includes entry into our Blue Penguins Pukekura Experience tour.

  2. Otago Peninsula In-Depth Tour:

• An expedition of the Otago Peninsula before joining our Blue Penguins Pukekura Experience Tour.

• Designed by the Otago Peninsula’s longest serving ranger, this tour is designed for those that have a thirst for knowledge about the Otago Peninsula’s wildlife, geology, botany, eco-systems and cultural sites of significant interest.

• Explores the remote parts of the peninsula to see other wildlife and spectacular scenery while learning about the environment.

• An affordable guided tour to see the Otago Peninsula and wildlife.

• Take the worry out of driving at night and let us expertly guide you !

• If you are curious about NZ and learning about Māori culture, unique plants and animals of the area, plus see penguins then this is the tour for you !

• Sees other wildlife species.

  Available 365 days a year, starts late afternoon, finishes at night after our penguin tour (Blue Penguins Pukekura Experience Tour is included, this tour is 5 hours total time). Limited spaces so bookings are highly recommended.

• Penguin viewing guaranteed.

• $165 for nearly 5 hours is Exceptional value! Our price is significantly less than many other guided Otago Peninsula bus/van tours.

NEED TRANSPORT ? Our daily guided Otago Peninsula In-Depth Tour is the best value tour to be expertly guided and explore the back country roads, wildlife, geology while seeing spectacular scenery of the peninsula. This tour includes our Blue Penguin Experience Tour.

Student and Backpacker deals are available for our Otago Peninsula In-Depth tour. See OUR TOURS for backpacker discounts (ID will be required).

Use our Contact Form if you need help you choose the best option for you.