• travel_explore
    Christchurch Explore New Zealand, Australia & Fiji!
    tune
  • image_search
    Search Christchurch... Experiences, attractions, dining & more

Evening Penguin Tour - Pohatu Penguins

4.9
53
Discover the magical world of wild penguins in their natural habitat on the Evening Penguin Tour...

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!

Adult $105.00
Child $75.00 (5 to 15 years old)
Infant $45.00 (2 - 4 years old)

What's included

  • Fully experienced guides
  • 4WD transportation by 4WD minibus to and from Pohatu bay on some of Banks peninsula back country road
  • Welcome by rare sheep breed that can be hand fed
  • A conservation walk and talk within the penguin habitat
  • Monitoring of penguin nesting homes to check on the colony

Location

  • 2/8 Rue Balguerie, Akaroa 7520, New Zealand

Notes

  • Photography welcomed but strictly no use of flash.

  • The Evening penguin tour departure changes due to lengthening or shortening days, exact departure time will be confirmed after booking. You can contact the operator directly after booking to do this, otherwise the operator will be in touch.

    In summer it is advisable to eat before you come on an evening tour as often restaurants will be closed on our return to Akaroa.

Available Bookings from 17 Dec to 30 Dec 2024

All prices are shown in NZD ($)

Change Dates
Tue 17 Dec
Wed 18 Dec
Thu 19 Dec
Fri 20 Dec
Sat 21 Dec
Sun 22 Dec
Mon 23 Dec
Tue 24 Dec
Wed 25 Dec
Thu 26 Dec
Fri 27 Dec
Sat 28 Dec
Sun 29 Dec
Mon 30 Dec

Bookings close in 9 hours...

  • Adult$74.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$58.00
  • Infant$45.00

  • Adult$95.00
  • Child$58.00
  • Infant$45.00

  • Adult$74.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$58.00
  • Infant$45.00

  • Adult$74.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$58.00
  • Infant$45.00

Authenticated Reviews & PhotosAll of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme

Authenticated Reviews & PhotosAll of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme

4.9

53 reviews

Showing all 53 authenticated Bookme reviews

Petra from Germany wrote on 22 February 2024

Exkursion zu den Pinguinen

Die Tour - eher eine biologische Exkursion - war super! Joey hat sehr viel über ihre Arbeit mit den Pinguinen berichtet. Und einen Teil der Arbeit konnten wir mit verfolgen. Das war sehr informativ und hat viel Spaß gemacht. Für alle, die an biologischen und ökologischen Fragestellungen interessiert sind ein "muss"!

verifiedVerified purchase Share Link

From Evening Penguin Tour - Pohatu Penguins

Hi Petra, Thank you very much for your review ^-^ Kindly, Kevin.

Janina Felsmann from Germany wrote on 11 July 2023

Wärmstens zu empfehlen

Wir hatten einen sehr kompetenten und bemühten Guide, der nicht nur viel seines Wissens über Pinguine mit uns geteilt hat, sondern auch über viel über die Landschaft, die (Landschafts-)Geschichte, Flora, Fauna und vor allem die bedeutsame Naturschutzarbeit zu berichten wusste. Jeder Teilnehmer bekam ein Fernglas und zusätzlich wurde auch ein Teleskop aufgestellt. Letztlich haben wir etwa 20 Pinguine im Meer und ein paar an Land zu Gesicht bekommen. Auch zwei Pelzrobben haben wir gesehen. Ich habe sehr viel Freude an der Tour gehabt und viel gelernt! Diese Tour ist wärmstens zu empfehlen!

verifiedVerified purchase Share Link

From Evening Penguin Tour - Pohatu Penguins

Thank you guys, it was a pleasure!

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.

verifiedVerified purchase Share Link

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.

verifiedVerified purchase Share Link

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.

verifiedVerified purchase Share Link

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.

close

Qualmark Certification

This award identifies a business with a high level of professionalism, a keen awareness of the impact it has on the environment and a commitment to a customer centric approach.

This award is evidence of a sophisticated tourism business that consistently exceeds visitor expectations. Their proactive leadership and management ensure the business's focus on continuously improving their economic, social and environmental performance to create genuine, constantly evolving and sustainable tourism experiences.

This award recognises the best sustainable tourism businesses in New Zealand. It denotes exceptional customer experiences at the heart of everything the company does. This business is leading the way in making the New Zealand tourism industry a world class sustainable visitor destination.

When you see the Qualmark logo, your activity of choice is endorsed by New Zealand Tourism's official quality assurance organisation and backed by leaders in the industry. It's your trusted guide to iconic activities and experiences that are awarded for their exceptionally high level of quality, safety and sustainability.

Sample menu

close
delete

Delete your content?

This item will be deleted immediately. You can't undo this action.