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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!
All prices are shown inNZD ($)
- Adult$95.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$52.00
- Infant$45.00
- Adult$95.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$52.00
- Infant$45.00
- Adult$95.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$52.00
- Infant$45.00
- Adult$95.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$52.00
- Infant$45.00
- Adult$115.00
- Child$75.00
- Infant$45.00
- Adult$95.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$60.00
- Infant$45.00
- Adult$95.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$60.00
- Infant$45.00
- Adult$105.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$52.00
- Infant$45.00
- Adult$115.00
- Child$75.00
- Infant$45.00
Authenticated Reviews
Real highlights, tips, and the helpful advice straight from Bookme customers who’ve actually done this experience.
Showing all 61 authenticated Bookme reviews
Janet McDonald from Canada wrote on 28 October 2025
Nice tour
Knowledgeable guides, great driving, amazing scenery and penguins ... What's not to love!
annb12 from Australia wrote on 17 October 2025
AWESOME
What an experience - the knowledge of our tour guide & his passion for the wildlife made the night so amazing. Didn’t expect to see so many penguins. One of the main highlights of our trip.
Scott Chapman-Wallis from United Kingdom wrote on 02 October 2025
Excellent tour despite the weather
It was quite stormy as we headed out, and it soon turned to heavy rain. Our guide was amazing, very knowledgeable and extremely passionate, and we say both penguins on their nests (being monitored, and only viewed for a short time to ensure they aren't stressed) on the water and coming ashore. We also got to help out feeding lambs on the owners farm
eddiet from New Zealand wrote on 17 May 2025
Great Experience
This was a wonderful experience. But it can get muddy and walking those precarious paths along the steep sides of the hills is only meant for the sure-footed. Also, the drive to Akaroa from Christchurch is really long because of the terrain, deceptive as it appears so close on the map. Bear in mind that it would be darkness by the time the tour finishes, and the drive back to Christchurch along the extremely bendy roads in full darkness is scary to say the least. If we knew this, we would have booked accommodation in Akaroa for the evening instead. Also, we were almost out of fuel and there was no petrol pump in sight in Akaroa late at night. Fortunately we made it back to the nearest petrol kiosk in Christchuch with 2okm to spare! As a whole, good experience, but please come prepared with full tank of fuel and for the journey back.
From Evening Penguin Tour - Pohatu Penguins
Hi Eddie, Thank you for taking the time to review your experience on our Evening penguin tour, and for giving useful tips about preparing for the journey. The muddiness of parts of the path in Flea Bay is something to expect after a rain event, like we had recently. That is why we recommend to all our visitors wear appropriate footwear. Regarding the drive from Christchurch to Akaroa: half of it is indeed in hills as Akaroa is located in an extinct volcano, so yes, it takes more time than it looks on a map. We usually recommend allowing 1.5 to 2 hours from Christchurch to give some flexibility. As we leave the bay at dusk, the return to Akaroa is at dark. Some of our visitors, like you, return straight to Christchurch. The road between Akaroa and Christchurch is sealed, so drivers just need to take it easy, especially in the bends. However, as you mentioned, staying overnight in Akaroa can make the experience more relaxed. Akaroa has many accommodation types for all budgets, and there is so much more to see in Akaroa that a 2-day visit is a preferred option by many. Regarding the petrol pump: there is one in the township of Akaroa, along the main street, that can be used after hours with a credit card. We are glad to hear you made it back to Christchurch before running out of petrol, but it is indeed always safer to fill up before going on the tour. We are very pleased to read that you had a wonderful experience. Thank you kindly, Geraldine T: +64 (03) 304 8542 M: +64 (0)21 246 9556 E: <mailto:[email protected]> [email protected] A: 8 Rue Balguerie, Unit 3 Akaroa, 7520 New Zealand Follow us on <https://www.facebook.com/PohatuPenguinsplunge> Facebook ââ¬â <https://www.instagram.com/pohatu_penguins/> Instagram ââ¬â <https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAAC1TGx_t4OoP_xwkjZiug?view_as=subscriber> Youtube ââ¬â <https://www.linkedin.com/company/54291713/admin/> LinkedIn or <https://www.pohatu.co.nz/Our+blog.html> Read our latest blog
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Peter Stephenson from United Kingdom wrote on 30 November 2025
Excellent
Special evening. Good to be supporting such a charity