Evening Penguin Safari

Duration: 3 hours
Min Age: 2
Group Size: Maximum 12 per guide

Pōhatu is the largest Australasian Little Penguin colony on mainland New Zealand.

This is a wonderful option for people who wish to take part in our monitoring program and learn more, in-depth, about our conservation efforts. This gives you great insight into the life of a penguin and an oppo...Show More

Duration: 3 hours
Min Age: 2
Group Size: Maximum 12 per guide

Pōhatu is the largest Australasian Little Penguin colony on mainland New Zealand.

This is a wonderful option for people who wish to take part in our monitoring program and learn more, in-depth, about our conservation efforts. This gives you great insight into the life of a penguin and an opportunity to see the birds up close.

First, you will set off with a walk around the colony to monitor nesting sites and make sure that our little penguins are doing well. Then, you will have the opportunity to spot some undisturbed from our hides, socializing on the water with our binoculars and our telescope, and at dusk a likelihood of some returning to shore. We depart before it gets too dark and leave it for the penguins to do their thing without us in their way.

What is Included:
- 4WD transportation from Akaroa by 4WD minibus to and from Pōhatu bay on some of Banks Peninsula back country roads,
- Welcome by rare sheep breeds that can be hand-fed,
- A conservation walk and talk within the penguin habitat,
- Monitoring of penguin nesting homes to check on the colony,
- With camouflage gear and through binoculars and scope, watch penguin(s) in the middle of the bay, preening, resting and socializing,
- A likelihood of some birds coming ashore just under the hides as it gets darker

What to Bring: - Good walking shoes or boots with good grip soles that can cope with a bit of mud in wet conditions.
The track can be demanding for some and can be slippery in wet conditions. We do our best to have a well formed track in good condition as far as the viewing hides that most people can cope with.
- Bring warm clothing (some additional camouflage clothing will be provided).
- Binoculars. Although we provide some, you might want to bring your own as we might not have one per person.

How many penguins will I be able to see?
If we operate Evening Penguin Tours it is because there are penguins in the area, so you will be guaranteed to at least see them in their nesting sites. During the breeding season, there is a very high chance of seeing penguins coming ashore.

When is the best time to see penguins?
The best time for penguin viewing is the breeding season from the end of August to December. You can see moulting adults in January and February, but starting the end of February through early April, we do NOT have penguins. There are also some windows of excellent viewing opportunities from mid-April to September when the birds return periodically from the sea.

I know that the Evening Penguin Safari departure time depends on sunset, but what is the approximate departure time?
Typically, we depart 2.5 hours before sunset. This will vary depending on the time of year. See below for departure time ranges.