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 and this is an attraction not to be missed when visiting Dunedin, NZ's wildlife capital.
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 expert rangers.
Blue Penguins Pukekura Experience Tour
Late evening tour (1.5 hours)
Behind The Scenes + Blue Penguins Pukekura Experience Tour
Late afternoon/evening tour (2hr 45min)
Otago Peninsula In-Depth Tour + Blue Penguins Pukekura Experience Tour
Late afternoon/evening tour with transport provided (5 hours)
1. Blue Penguins Pukekura Experience Tour
Our iconic evening penguin‑viewing experience — great for all visitors
Our most popular tour and the shorter length of the first two options (both require you to self-drive to us).
1.5 hours (self‑drive to us is required).
Often sold out on the night (For much of the year it can be sold out weeks/months ahead).
Starts with an introductory talk then watch penguins emerge from the sea and walk past us just metres away (penguins walk past right us so there’s no need for binoculars with us).
Excellent photographic opportunities of penguins and sunset.
Rated in Top 10 TripAdvisor reviews for all of New Zealand (2023).
Guaranteed penguin viewing.
Available 365 nights a year (starts at dusk). This is a1.5-hour tour (requires own transport to get to us).
Best for: Visitors with limited time but wanting an unforgettable close experience of wild penguins.
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. Behind the Scenes + Blue Penguins Pukekura Experience Tour
New for 2026 — our most immersive penguin and conservation experience
Begin your adventure before dusk with our knowledgeable guides — the same team who work inside the reserve caring for penguins, wildlife, and habitat restoration.
Explore and see up close areas not open to the general public before joining the main Blue Penguins Pukekura Experience Tour at night.
Starts earlier than the Blue Penguins Pukekura Experience Tour, includes a guided walk-through restricted parts of the reserve during daylight.
2 hours and 45 minutes (self-drive to us is required) This tour includes the 1.5-hour Blue Penguins Pukekura Experience Tour (above).
Learn how we monitor the penguins’ underground nest sites (we generally don’t see the penguins during the reserve walk as they are underground or at sea during daylight hours, but we see them later when they return from the sea).
Understand penguin biology, behaviour, and evolution. Fascinating additional information and easier to understand when we are near their nest sites.
Learn about reforestation, predator control, and the work of our Charitable Trust.
Hear cultural stories connected to this special place.
On the reserve walk there often is a chance of encounters with fur seals, sea lions, forest birds, and endemic insects like the ancient wētā.
Then a return to the centre to join others and enjoy the full nighttime Blue Penguins Pukekura Experience Tour (see above).
Includes a free hot drink (soup, coffee, tea or hot chocolate) and snack.
Guaranteed penguin viewing (Occurs on the Blue Penguins Pukekura Tour part of this tour).
Best for: Curious travellers who want deeper insight into penguin life, conservation work, and the ecology of plants and animals in our reserve — and for those who want to see up close where the penguins breed and understand where the birds we see later will be heading to after nightfall.
3. Otago Peninsula In‑Depth Tour
The ultimate guided journey across the peninsula — includes penguin viewing
Designed by the peninsula’s longest‑serving ranger, this nearly 5‑hour experience explores the region’s wildlife, geology, ecosystems, and Māori cultural history before finishing with the Blue Penguins Pukekura Experience Tour.
Guided exploration of remote areas and spectacular landscapes.
See additional wildlife and learn about the peninsula’s natural and cultural heritage.
A great-value guided experience without the stress of driving at night.
Guaranteed penguin viewing.
Runs daily, starting late afternoon and finishing after the evening penguin viewing.
Includes our Blue Penguins Pukekura Experience Tour.
Limited spaces — early booking recommended.
Best for: Visitors without a car, or anyone wanting a rich, guided overview of the Otago Peninsula plus the full penguin‑arrival experience.
$165 for nearly 5 hours is Exceptional value! Our price is significantly less than many other guided Otago Peninsula bus/van tours.
Need transport? This is the best-value guided option for exploring the peninsula and includes our Blue Penguins Pukekura Experience Tour.
Use our Contact Form if you need help you choose the best option for you.
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.
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About Little Penguins, 'Kororā'
Meet the world’s smallest penguin ! Learn about Little penguins (also known as blue penguins or Kororā).
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Tour & Prices
Our Kororā, (Little Blue Penguins) return at sunset. Book now and see penguins in their natural habitat.
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Our Location
Getting to Blue Penguins Pukekura is easy. Drive yourself, and allow 60 minutes from Central Dunedin.
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History / Conservation
For Manawhenua (people of the land), Takiharuru (Pilots Beach) is a sacred and special place.
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.
