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Guided tour

Oamaru: Blue Penguin Colony Evening Viewing Ticket

4.4  / 5252 reviews
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Guided tour
Oamaru: Blue Penguin Colony Evening Viewing Ticket
4.4  / 5252 reviews
Likely to sell out

Watch hundreds of tiny blue penguins emerge from the ocean as they return to their nesting area on the coast of Ōamaru. Get fascinating commentary on the penguins during the experience.

About this activity

Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Reserve now & pay later
Keep your travel plans flexible — book your spot and pay nothing today.
Duration 1.5 hours
Check availability to see starting times.
Live tour guide
English, Chinese
Wheelchair accessible

Highlighted reviews from other travelers

M
Megan – United States

One of my favorite things I did this trip. If you are an animal lover then definitely go for it! The guides were very nice and provided a lot of information about the penguins and their conservation efforts. It was incredible to be so close to the little blue penguins!

M
Megan – United States
T
Terri – United Kingdom

Evening watching the little Blue penguins return to their colony in “rafts”. It was a magical experience, really well thought out and well worth the money. Only downer were a couple of idiots from another tour being a little too noisy and spooking the wildlife but that wasn’t in the tour teams power. Always a few numpties about even in paradise. My recommendation, make sure you bring warm clothes, neck scarf and hat as sitting in the brisk sea evening air for a while can get a little chilly. Saw loads of penguins and a few seals too. Nice way to spend an evening.

T
Terri – United Kingdom

Experience

Highlights

  • Watch hundreds of wild tiny blue penguins as they return to their nesting boxes.
  • Discover more about the penguins' lives through informative commentary.
  • Each visitor contributes to & supports our conservation efforts in the region.
  • Range of different wildlife in the area, such as fur seals and seabirds

Full description

Marvel at hundreds of the world's smallest penguin species as they return from a day's fishing. See the wild blue penguins make their way up the beach and a stony ramp before they cross into their colony. Upon arrival at the Penguin Colony, check in with one of the local operator's team members, before being guided to your seating area. Then, watch the penguins make their journey up to their specially made nesting boxes from no more than 15 meters/16.5 yards away. Throughout the experience, delight in the informative commentary of your expert team. Learn about the average life of blue penguins, their different breeding patterns, and why the conservation of these tiny birds is so important in New Zealand. If you're lucky, you may also see a range of different wildlife in the area, such as fur seals and seabirds.

Includes

  • General Admission Evening Viewing Ticket
  • Informative commentary from local expert
  • Food and Drinks

Select participants and date

Participants

Date

Meeting point

Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony, Waterfront Rd, South Hill, Oamaru 9400, New Zealand. Please arrive 10 minutes before your scheduled time.

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Important information

What to bring

  • Warm clothing

Not allowed

  • Cameras

Know before you go

  • Photography and video are strictly prohibited during this experience. Flash and light are not good for the penguins' eyes. Please abide by these rules and refrain from using cameras and/or phones in the seating area
  • It can get very cold in the evening in Oamaru. Please dress appropriately in warm clothing including enclosed footwear, jacket, and long pants
  • The General Admission area is approximately 10-15 meters (11-16.5 yards) away from where the penguins will come up the beach into the nesting area
  • During the summer months, evening viewing can be as late as 9 PM, while during the winter the penguins arrive home as early as 5:30 PM. Arrival numbers vary from over 200 in Summer down to under 30 in Winter

Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.4 /5

based on 252 reviews

Review summary

  • Guide
    4.4/5
  • Value for money
    4.2/5

Customer photos

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M
Megan – United StatesJanuary 6, 2025  – Verified booking
One of my favorite things I did this trip. If you are an animal lover then definitely go for it! The guides were very nice and provided a lot of information about the penguins and their conservation efforts. It was incredible to be so close to the little blue penguins!
Helpful?
T
Terri – United KingdomDecember 9, 2024  – Verified booking
Evening watching the little Blue penguins return to their colony in “rafts”. It was a magical experience, really well thought out and well worth the money. Only downer were a couple of idiots from another tour being a little too noisy and spooking the wildlife but that wasn’t in the tour teams power. Always a few numpties about even in paradise. My recommendation, make sure you bring warm clothes, neck scarf and hat as sitting in the brisk sea evening air for a while can get a little chilly. Saw loads of penguins and a few seals too. Nice way to spend an evening.
Helpful?
F
Fernando – United StatesNovember 27, 2024  – Verified booking
Premium seating has a weird viewing angle, you don't see the penguins climbing up the rocks. But you do see them closer and also get to pass through walkway that gets full of penguins.
Helpful?

Product ID: 250092

Activity provider:Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony

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