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Christchurch Explore New Zealand, Australia & Fiji!tune
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Discover the magical world of wild penguins in their natural habitat on the Evening Penguin Tour...
Highlights
- Be welcomed by rare breeds of sheep and have the chance to hand-feed them
- Learn all about the conservation efforts being made to preserve the penguins
- Watch wild penguins from hides and see them in nesting homes
- Expert guides will provide interesting commentary along the way
- A fantastic idea for animal and nature lovers alike!
- Awarded Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence since 2014!
Take an exciting evening adventure and discover what life is like for wild penguins as you observe them in their natural habitat.
The tour begins with a scenic drive by 4WD which takes you over Akaroa's extinct Volcano crater rim before you are greeted by the stunning beauty of Pohatu Bay.
Guided by a team of experts who know when and where is best to locate these inquisitive creatures, you'll then have the opportunity to observe the fascinating behaviour of penguins as they explore and socialise on the water - if you're lucky you may even see some returning to shore at dusk!
You'll also see them up close in their nesting homes which are used as part of conservation efforts to monitor the colony, and you'll get an insight into the conservation efforts being made to preserve their lives in the Flea Bay colony.
A fascinating and thrilling adventure for all ages that will provide memories to last a lifetime!
All prices are shown in NZD ($)
- Adult$74.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$58.00
- Infant$45.00
- Adult$74.00
- Child$58.00
- Infant$45.00
- Adult$95.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$60.00
- Infant$45.00
Authenticated Reviews & Photos All of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme
Showing all 53 authenticated Bookme reviews
From Evening Penguin Tour - Pohatu Penguins
Hi Sarah, Thank you for review, it is great to hear you've enjoyed all of our cute animals. The ride over can be impressive, but our guides are expert on driving on it to keep everyone safe ^-^ All the best. Kindly, Kevin.
Jenny Bissex-Carter from United Kingdom wrote on 23 December 2023
Little Penguins of Potahu
Very informative evening learning about NZ ecology as well as the penguins. Our guide, Caitlyn (I think, so sorry if incorrect) was lovely, very passionate about her country and the flora and fauna. A highly intelligent young lady. Our experience seeing the Little Penguins in their natural environment was amazing with the added bonus of seeing young seal pups playing on the shore.
From Evening Penguin Tour - Pohatu Penguins
Hi Jenny, Thank you for taking the time to leave this kind review. We are so pleased that you had such a great and memorable tour. It's always a pleasure for us to share our part of NZ with others. Kindly, Danielle
Sue Christophersen from New Zealand wrote on 19 October 2021
A 'must do'
We had the best time on this tour. The passion and enthusiasm of our guide Joey was obvious and she was a mine of information. Being able to see the penguins in their nesting boxes (and some babies) was awesome and to top it off they came a shore just below us so we had a birdseye view. Highly rate this tour a 'must do' on a trip to Akaroa. While walking to the hideout we found a young shag that had fallen out of the nest, Joey took it home (along with fish for it's dinner) Do hope it survived it's ordeal.
From Evening Penguin Tour - Pohatu Penguins
Hi Sue, Thank you so very much for your comment. Being a daughter of Shireen and Francis who started the conservation work she has been here since the very beginning and has indeed a wealth of knowledge. We're very happy that you enjoyed yourselves and wish you all the best. Kindly, Kevin.
charlenec4 from France wrote on 14 December 2024
Amazing tour
I loved doing this tour. Our guides Joey and Geraldine were amazing, they are really passionante, it's really interesting to learn not only about pinguins, but also about the place, the history, the fauna and so much more. And yes, we saw penguins and their chicks !!! We saw them close in the nesting boxes, but also on the bay waiting to come back on shore. We also saw some fur seals and some Cormorants drying on the side. The money of this tour is for helping the preservation of the land and the growth of the blue penguins populations. It would be really sad if they ended up being extinct and I think it's totally worth it.
From Evening Penguin Tour - Pohatu Penguins
Hi Charlene, Thank you for having taken the time to comment about Evening penguin tour with Joey and Geraldine. We're thrilled to hear you have thoroughly enjoyed your visit. We wish you a happy end-of-year celebrations. Kindly, Kevin.
efraim lobel from Israel wrote on 12 December 2024
Not good
You see a few penguins far a way No fair money for the simple tour
From Evening Penguin Tour - Pohatu Penguins
Hi there, I am sorry to read your review and see it hasn't reached your expectation. On our evening penguin we monitor nests provided as part of the conservation work which allow guests to see birds up close (within a meter away) giving you a great insight into penguins' life. Those houses allow us to keep an eye on the colony and run population studies which is partly funded by tourism. We provide binoculars and scopes to allow for better and easier viewing of a Little penguins giving us a unique opportunity of seeing them socializing on the water. In December, time of your visit, we're currently seeing hundreds of birds every evening so I'm confused at the "few penguins". As for the "simple tour", This is a 3-hour tour with 4WD transportation to and from Pohatu Bay with photo stops and commentary along the way. Guides share a lot of information about the history and geology of the place, how 30+ years of conservation effort have saved this colony, extensive knowledge of penguins' life and other information about other native wildlife seen on the tour. I would like to further hear about what you were expecting so please feel free to contact us on our email at [email protected] Kindly, Kevin.
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Sarah Tuckwell from United Kingdom wrote on 17 August 2024
Penguins 🐧
This was a great tour. The ride in is perhaps not for the nervous road users but once there the thrill of lamb cuddles and penguin spotting makes you forget. Our guide was very knowledgeable.