VERY POPULAR, BOOKINGS ARE ESSENTIAL WE SELL OUT DAYS/WEEKS IN ADVANCE!! May is filling up quickly. If the date you want to book is not showing, then we are FULLY booked (the ONLY other availability might be on our Behind The Scenes Tour or our Otago Peninsula In-Depth tour). We don't operate a wait list sorry.
VERY POPULAR, BOOKINGS ARE ESSENTIAL WE SELL OUT DAYS/WEEKS IN ADVANCE!! May is filling up quickly. If the date you want to book is not showing, then we are FULLY booked (the ONLY other availability might be on our Behind The Scenes Tour or our Otago Peninsula In-Depth tour). We don't operate a wait list sorry.
CURRENTLY SELLING OUT see scrolling information above
Want to see wild penguins up close?
Be fascinated by Kororā, the world's smallest penguin, emerging from the sea at dusk at Takiharuru on the end of the Otago Peninsula.
We are the ONLY penguin viewing company that guarantees to see penguins* !
Voted number 1 of All Tours and Activities for Dunedin on TripAdvisor every year for the last 6 years!
Our penguins are super close….no need for binoculars, penguins will often stop just a few metres away from you making for a brilliant opportunity to observe their natural behaviour.
Backpacker/student deals are available for our Otago Peninsula In-Depth tour
*We offer refunds if we see less than 5 penguins.
Discover Kororā — The Little Blue Penguin
Meet the world’s smallest penguin in one of the most intimate and natural viewing experiences in New Zealand.
A Front‑Row View to Penguin Life
At dusk, blue penguins return from a day at sea and make their way up the beach to their burrows at Takiharuru/Pilots Beach. From our purpose‑built viewing deck, you’ll watch them waddle, preen, and socialise—often just metres away. We have the largest population of penguins on the Otago Peninsula. Join us for one of the best opportunities anywhere to observe natural penguin behaviour up close.
“An experience that connects wildlife, landscape and culture”.
Viewing of the Little Blue Penguins is guaranteed, watch the nightly arrival as they emerge out of the sea to waddle up their “penguin highway” path, that is just metres from us. Witness one of nature’s marvels.
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)
CHOOSE THE TOUR THAT’S RIGHT FOR YOU !
Three unique ways to experience the famous Blue Penguins of Pukekura — from shorter1.5-hour tours to deep‑dive exploration with our biologists.
Blue Penguins Pukekura Experience Tour
Our iconic evening penguin‑viewing experience — great for all visitors
Late evening tour (1.5 hours), requires your own transportation to get to us.
Guaranteed penguin viewing up close.
Our most popular tour often sold-out weeks/months in advance.
Tour starts within the Royal Albatross Centre with an introductory talk on penguins and the cultural significance of this headland.
After the talk we head to our purpose-built viewing platform and wait for penguins to emerge from the sea. Plenty of time to observe penguins and their behaviour up close.
Best for: Visitors with limited time but want excellent penguin viewing opportunities.
Behind The Scenes + Blue Penguins Pukekura Experience Tour
Our most immersive penguin and conservation experience.
A 2 hr 45 minute late‑afternoon/evening tour (self‑drive required) with guaranteed up‑close viewing during the Blue Penguins Pukekura Experience part of this tour.
Before dusk and led by our expert biologists we explore restricted areas of our reserve not open to the public.
This tour goes deeper into penguin biology and conservation. It complements the evening viewing by showing you their habitat and how we monitor nests, restore habitat, and care for the colony.
Best for: Curious travellers who want deeper insight into penguin life, to visit their nest sites and learn about the conservation work, and the ecology of plants and animals found within our reserve.
Otago Peninsula In-Depth Tour + Blue Penguins Pukekura Experience Tour
The ultimate guided journey across the peninsula — includes transport and penguin viewing
Late afternoon/evening tour with transport to/from Dunedin provided (5 hours).
Guaranteed penguin viewing up close (during the Blue Penguins Pukekura Experience part of this tour).
Exploration of remote areas and spectacular landscapes of the Otago Peninsula while learning about the wildlife, geology, ecosystems and Māori cultural history.
A great-value guided experience without the stress of driving at night.
Best for: Visitors without a car, or anyone wanting a rich, guided overview of the Otago Peninsula plus the full penguin‑arrival experience.
More about the Blue Penguins Pukekura Experience
Conservation and Hospitality at Our Core
As kaitiaki/guardians of this reserve, we protect the land, restore habitat, and support the thriving kororā colony—the largest on the Otago Peninsula. As a Charitable Trust, your visit directly funds all conservation work. You’ll see firsthand how your experience contributes to the wellbeing of penguins and the restoration of this special place.
Our mission is simple: protect the land, grow the diversity of wildlife, and give every visitor the chance to witness one of nature’s marvels. Many guests tell us it was the best wildlife experience of their entire New Zealand trip.
Our unrushed experience starts with an introductory talk.
Before heading to the beach, your evening begins with a relaxed, engaging introduction covering:
Penguin biology and behaviour
The ecological importance of this headland
The deep cultural and historical significance of this place to mana whenua
Then we make our way to the viewing platform for what many describe as a magical, unhurried encounter with kororā (blue penguins).
Exclusive Access to a Thriving Colony
As guardians of this reserve, we have exclusive access to view kororā returning from the sea each night. In the 1980s and 1990s, the colony had declined to just six breeding pairs. Today—under the care of Blue Penguins Pukekura—there are over 250 pairs, a remarkable conservation success story.
Your Ticket Funds All Conservation Work
As a Charitable Trust, we rely entirely on visitor support. Every tour helps fund habitat restoration, predator control, reforestation, and hands‑on care of the penguins and other wildlife.
An Unforgettable, Close‑Up Experience
During your visit, our friendly and knowledgeable team look after you, answer your questions, and guide you through incredibly close penguin viewing—often just metres away. In choosing us, you’re not only enjoying an amazing wildlife encounter; you’re helping us protect the penguins, their home, and the future of this special reserve.
What an amazing experience. The guides were friendly and knew the whakapapa of the whenua. Very informative information about the trees, plants and wild life. Had a real rare experience watching a sea lion camouflage itself and chasing a couple of the blue penguins. The weather was amazing and also seeing the little blue penguins.