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Penguin Tours - old2

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Penguin Tours

Photo opportunities
Fully experienced guides
Evening Tours
Natural environment
Pohatu is the largest Australasian Little Penguin colony on mainland New Zealand and the family has worked over the last three decades protecting White-flippered Penguins (Eudyptula minor albosignata), Canterbury's own variant of Australasian Little Penguin, from introduced predators.
This is a wonderful option for people who wish to take part in our monitoring program and discover more, in depth, about our conservation efforts. This gives you great insight into the life of a penguin and the chance to see the birds up-close and a unique opportunity to watch them socialising on the water.
After a breathtaking scenic drive over Akaroa extinct volcano and photo opportunities you will discover tranquil Pohatu bay where you will set off for a walk around the colony to monitor nesting sites and make sure that our Little Penguins are doing well. Then, you will have the unique opportunity to spot some undisturbed from our hides, socializing on the water with provided binoculars and telescope.
With night falling we have a high likelihood to see some penguins returning to shore and relaxing on the rocks before heading to their nests. As they have to walk so far to feed chicks we leave before dark and leave them in peace.
In addition, tours booked late November to February may have the opportunity to see up-close rehabilitation efforts such as feedings and swim therapy. (Call ahead to see if we have rescued penguins in rehab.)

 

Evening penguin tour
Adult

$95
Child 5 to 15 years old*

$55

Infant 2 to 4 years old*

$35
Family price: 2ad and 2ch

$250
Tour includes
  • 4WD transportation from Akaroa by 4WD minibus to and from Pohatu bay on some of Banks peninsula back country road,
  • 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 socialising,
  • A likelihood of some birds coming ashore just under the hides as it get darker
Please note: 
  • We are not a Penguin parade and rely on natural viewing for this colony, (we don’t use lighting), we usually have a window of opportunity just before night falls to view penguins coming ashore below our hides, but depending on Mother nature and how the penguins feel we can’t always guarantee they will come ashore before the cut off time we run the tours in. The hours of darkness are for penguins only as this is the time they have to walk home to feed their chicks. Saying that, it is still highly likely penguins come ashore below our hides on the rocks to preen before heading home. Monitoring nesting sites (opportunity to see penguins up close) and watching them socialize on the water with binoculars is our main focus.
  • The Evening penguin tour departure changes due to lengthening or shortening days so please check on the day our current departure time. In summer it is advisable to either eat before you come on an evening tour or bring some food with you as often restaurants will be closed on our return to Akaroa.
  • Photography welcomed but strictly no use of flash.

Wondering what is happening in the colony and what you might see when you come?

Time of the year Viewing probability Viewing expectation
September - Mid October Guaranteed
High Likelihood		 Nesting sites (Adults)
Socializing on the water
Mid October - Mid December Guaranteed

Likelihood		 Nesting sites (Adults, chicks and eggs)
Socializing on the water
Mid December - Mid February High Likelihood
Likelihood		 Rehabilitation
Nesting sites Adults moulting (losing their feathers)
Mid-February - Mid April Likelihood
None		 Some socializing on the water
Maybe late moulters early returners
Mid-April - end of May High Likelihood
High Likelihood		 Nesting sites (Adults)
Socializing on the water
June - August 50/50 (although it is rare not to have a single penguin in the bay, winter is very sporadic, call ahead to check if there are penguins) Returning adults socializing on the water and in nesting sites
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.
Pohatu Penguins pohatu.co.nz - Spherical Image - RICOH THETA
Only in Akaroa for the day?

If you do not have the time to stay late or overnight in Akaroa, consider our Scenic Nature tours that would allow you to see penguins up close in nesting sites.

 

Check out also our 24 hour Pohatu package 
Experience a night right in the middle of the largest Australasian Little Penguin colony on mainland New Zealand! Our cosy units are available to enable you to spend more time at Pohatu Bay and free time to relax and explore Pohatu´s many secret places. The accommodation is located within easy walking distance of our beautiful safe sandy beach.