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Otago Peninsula In-Depth Tour & Blue Penguins Pukekura Experience

208 Reviews 4.96 out of 5 stars Based on 208 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and TripAdvisor |
Recommended by 100% of reviewers
100% of reviewers gave this experience a rating of 4 or higher.
|
Badge of Excellence |Badge of Excellence This experience is highly rated by travelers and has met our top quality standards. Dunedin & The Otago Peninsula, New Zealand
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from $94.83 per person

Lowest Price Guarantee
Otago Peninsula: Stunning and Wild
Incredibly close views of the world's smallest penguins
Otago Peninsula's volcanic past
Watch for albatross soaring above us at Pukekura
Visit Dunedin's largest penguin colony
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 22 (0) days in advance.
5 hours (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English
Instant confirmation

Overview

If you are a visitor that truly wants to see and understand the unique ecosystems, wildlife, culture, geology and botany of the Otago Peninsula then join this tour.

We see a variety of wildlife species along the way (seasonal).
At Pukekura we have a good chance to see seals nearby & albatross flying overhead.
Later we join our Blue Penguins Pukekura Experience tour, see the world's smallest penguin emerging from the sea and walking past us just metres away. Note: Others join us for that part of this experience (max 75)

PHOTOGRAPHY IS ALLOWED (no flash)

If no availability on this site, check our own website for additional availability/other tours.

As a Charitable Trust our aim is to look after our reserve and protect the Otago Peninsula's largest penguin colony.

Top 10 Cool Shore Excursions's Best Experiences in New Zealand 2023.

What's Included

  • All Fees and Taxes
  • Air-conditioned vehicle

    Meeting Location

    Meeting point

    50 The Octagon
    Central Dunedin, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand

    Show on Google Maps

    Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

    End point

    This activity ends back at the meeting point.

    What To Expect

    Book Online

    Our secure website provides real-time availability, instant confirmation, and free, no-hassle cancellations up to 24 hours before your tour begins.
    Read more

    Safe & secure Easy breezy Hassle‑free

    Dunedin

    We pass by some of the most famous buildings in the city before heading out onto the Otago Peninsula.
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    30 minutes Admission Ticket Free

    Otago Peninsula

    An In-Depth tour of the geology, human history, botany and zoology of the Otago Peninsula. A tour designed by Lyndon Perriman, former wildlife ranger who spent 30 years working on the Otago Peninsula. Known as the wildlife capital of New Zealand, the Otago Peninsula has a wealth of wildlife and ever-changing scenery around each corner. Departing Dunedin be whisked away in one of our vehicles heading for the spectacular wild side of the Otago Peninsula. See incredible wild coastal views, stunning wildlife and highly productive marine environments. This is a tour designed for those that have a thirst for knowledge of the environment. We also explore and weave stories pertaining to some of the most significant sites used by Māori who were here centuries before European arrival. On this part of our journey we encounter a range of wading bird species and some coastal sea bird species.
    Read more

    1 hour 45 minutes Admission Ticket Free

    Taiaroa Head

    On the very end of the Otago Peninsula is Pukekura (Taiaroa Head) an incredibly significant site to Māori and now also and incredibly significant wildlife reserve. Your guide will lead you to cliff viewing locations to observe a wealth of wildlife. Home to 10000 seabirds over the summer months, Pukekura is home to giant albatross and we often see them flying overhead as they return to their nesting locations nearby (nesting location is not visible). Gulls, terns, shags, other seabirds, seals or sea lions are also regular visitors to these shores.
    Read more

    30 minutes Admission Ticket Free

    Taiaroa Head

    Here too we join others to start our Blue Penguins Pukekura Experience. Extremely close views of the world's smallest penguin erupting out of the sea at dusk to come ashore to feed their chicks or to rest. Often described by guests as their best wildlife experience in New Zealand, we are fortunate to have the privilege of being right in among the largest penguin colony on the Otago Peninsula as penguins go about their nightly activities.Voted in the top 10 TripAdvisor's Best Experiences in New Zealand 2022.PHOTOGRAPHY ALLOWED (no flash)Most tours are led by conservation experts/biologists. At our own reserve we have extremely close views of blue penguins (often only 1-2 metres away), fur seals are regulars here too (10-30m away from us) and sea lions are sometimes seen here on the sandy beach (10-50m away from us).
    Read more

    1 hour 30 minutes Admission Ticket Included

    Otago Peninsula

    Return trip back to Dunedin City either via Portobello Road or via Castlewood Road if there are drop offs required at Larnach Castle
    Read more

    45 minutes Admission Ticket Free

    Show 4 more stops

    Additional Info

    • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
    • Visitors need to be able to walk 300m unaided and manage stairs (about 60 stairs inbuilt along our walkway leading to our viewing platform). Tour and vehicles are not suitable for very young children.
    • Bring warm clothes we are outside for much of the tour, it can get very cold after dark.
    • MINIMUM AGE OF 18 TO PARTICIPATE this is not a tour for children
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • We have a minimum age requirement of 18 to participate on this tour

    Frequently Asked Questions (8)

    Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Otago Peninsula In-Depth Tour & Blue Penguins Pukekura Experience?

    A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (NZDT). Read more Apr 2025

    Cancellation Policy

    You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

    Still have questions?

    We're here to help.
    Activity code: C-333256P3

    Traveler Photos

    Reviews

    4.96
    208 reviews

    Average 4.96 out of 5 stars based on 208 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

    5 stars
    200
    4 stars
    7
    3 stars
    1
    2 stars
    0
    1 star
    0
    Don't miss out!
    On average, this is booked 22 (0) days in advance.
    Dunedin & The Otago Peninsula Tours
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    Frequently Asked Questions (8)

    Activity name

    The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Cool Shore Excursions customers.

    Filter by:

    Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Otago Peninsula In-Depth Tour & Blue Penguins Pukekura Experience?
    A:
    You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.
    • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
    • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
    • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
    • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (NZDT).
    Apr 2025
    Q: What's included in the price?
    A:
    The following is included:
    • All Fees and Taxes.
    • Air-conditioned vehicle.
    Apr 2025
    Q: What is the weather cancellation policy?
    A:

    This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

    Apr 2025
    Q: What is the minimum age for this tour?
    A:

    The minimum age to participate is 18. This tour requires at least one adult to accompany children..

    Apr 2025
    Q: My date is not available in the calendar, I am just checking to see if it is available?
    A:

    If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.

    If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.

    Apr 2025
    Q: Is this an accessible tour?
    A:

    Accessibility information for the Otago Peninsula In-Depth Tour & Blue Penguins Pukekura Experience is as follows:

    • Visitors need to be able to walk 300m unaided and manage stairs (about 60 stairs inbuilt along our walkway leading to our viewing platform). Tour and vehicles are not suitable for very young children.
    • Bring warm clothes we are outside for much of the tour, it can get very cold after dark.
    • Note we can't have umbrellas on the penguin viewing platform as eye risk to others
    • MINIMUM AGE OF 18 TO PARTICIPATE this is not a tour for children
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    Apr 2025
    Q: Where is the meeting point for this activity?
    A:

    Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Otago Peninsula In-Depth Tour & Blue Penguins Pukekura Experience will be included in your confirmation email from Cool Shore Excursions. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!

     

     

    Mar 2024
    Q: How long does a refund take to reach my card, and can I get it faster?
    A:

    Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.

    Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.

    If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.

    Oct 2026

    What's Included

    Activity name

    • All Fees and Taxes
    • Air-conditioned vehicle

    Additional Info

    Activity name

    • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
    • Visitors need to be able to walk 300m unaided and manage stairs (about 60 stairs inbuilt along our walkway leading to our viewing platform). Tour and vehicles are not suitable for very young children.
    • Bring warm clothes we are outside for much of the tour, it can get very cold after dark.
    • Note we can't have umbrellas on the penguin viewing platform as eye risk to others
    • MINIMUM AGE OF 18 TO PARTICIPATE this is not a tour for children
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • We have a minimum age requirement of 18 to participate on this tour
    • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 11 travelers

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    Activity name