Akaroa: Pohatu Little Penguins 3-Hour Evening Experience

Join the tour from Akaroa for a scenic drive by a 4WD minivan over the crater rim of the Akaroa volcano to Pohatu/Flea Bay. Listen as your guide shares with you the history and unique wildlife of the area.

Stop for photo opportunities where you can gaze across Akaroa harbor and enjoy stunning views of the endless Pacific Ocean. On arrival, walk around the colony to monitor nesting sites (small wooden houses), collect data, and make sure that the birds are doing well.

Spot the penguins undisturbed, socializing on the water, and with darkness falling, a likelihood of some returning to shore.
Binoculars and camouflage gear are provided to maximize viewing abilities. Darkness will signal the end of the activity, as artificial lighting disturbs the birds so is not used.

At certain times of the year, you may even see some of the rehabilitation efforts, such as supplemental feeding.

Note, our colony is very organised and there are times of the year when numbers are higher than others so here is what to expect throughout the year.
The colony breeds from mid-September to the end of December. Then, birds moult until mid/ end of February. There are generally no penguins from early March to mid-April. Over the winter months, penguins come and go and although it is rare to find a bird, there are times with less birds than others.