Encounter New Zealand's native penguins in their natural environment on this 3-hour guided experience from Akaroa. Learn about the 30 plus years of conservation work that has saved the little penguins from extinction in the area.
About this activity
- Free cancellation
- Cancel up to 24 hours in advance to receive a full refund
- Mobile ticketing
- Use your phone or print your voucher
- Duration 3 hours
- Instant confirmation
- Live tour guide
- English, French
- Small group
- Limited to 15 participants
Experience
Highlights
- Marvel at wild penguins in their natural habitat at dusk
- Enjoy a scenic 4WD drive to Pohatu/Flea Bay from Akaora
- Gain great insight into the life of a penguin and local conservation efforts
- Contribute to a 30-year conservation and monitoring project
Full description
Join the tour from Akaroa for a scenic drive by a 4WD minivan over the crater rim of the Akaroa volcano to Pohatu/Flea Bay. Listen as your guide shares with you the history and unique wildlife of Akara.
Stop for photo opportunities where you can gaze across Akaroa harbor and enjoy stunning views of the endless Pacific Ocean. On arrival, walk around the colony to monitor nesting sites, collect data, and make sure that the birds are doing well.
Spot the penguins undisturbed, socializing on the water, and with darkness falling, a very high likelihood of some returning to shore. Binoculars and camouflage gear are provided to maximize viewing abilities. Darkness will signal the end of the activity, as artificial lighting disturbs the birds so is not used. At certain times of the year, you may even see some of the rehabilitation efforts, such as supplemental feeding.
Includes
- Scenic return transport by 4WD minivan
- Experienced guide
- Photo stops
- Penguin monitoring and viewing
- Camouflage gear
- Use of binoculars
Not suitable for
- People with mobility impairments
- Wheelchair users
Select participants and date
Participants
Date
Prepare for the activity
Meeting point
Behind the BNZ Bank on Rue Lavaud.
Open in Google Maps ⟶Important information
What to bring
- Hiking shoes
- Weather-appropriate clothing
Not allowed
- Smoking
- Flash photography
Know before you go
- The departure time changes due to the sunset. The local tour operator communicate with you the departure time near the date of your tour
- Photography welcomed, strictly no use of flash permitted
- The main focus of this activity is monitoring nesting sites offering the opportunity to see penguins up close and watching them socializing on the water
- Tours rely on natural viewing for this colony, no artificial lighting is used. Pending the weather and natural penguin behavior, there is usually a window of opportunity before it gets too dark to view penguins coming ashore. It cannot be guaranteed that the birds will come ashore before darkness
- Due to the sensitive wildlife habitat, only guided groups can visit the breeding colony to view the White-flippered Penguins
