Penguin Tours
Photo opportunities
Fully experienced guides
Evening Tours
Natural environment
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Pōhatu is the largest Australasian Little Penguin colony on mainland New Zealand and the family has worked over the last three decades protecting Kororā/White-Flippered Penguins (Eudyptula minor albosignata), Canterbury's own variant of Australasian Little Penguin, from introduced predators. After a breathtaking scenic drive over Akaroa extinct volcano and photo opportunities you will discover tranquil Pōhatu bay where you will set off for a walk around the colony to monitor nesting sites. As you take part in our monitoring program you will discover more, in depth, our conservation efforts and get a great insight into the life of a penguin giving you the chance to see the birds up-close 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 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.) |
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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.
Tour includes
- 4WD transportation from Akaroa by 4WD minibus to and from Pōhatu bay on some of Banks Peninsula back country roads,
- 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 socializing,
- A likelihood of some birds coming ashore just under the hides as it gets darker
Wondering what is happening in the colony and what you might see when you come?
| Time of the year | Viewing expectation | Viewing probability |
|---|---|---|
| September - Mid October | Nesting sites (Adults, maybe some on eggs) Socializing on the water |
Guaranteed High Likelihood |
| Mid October - Mid December | Nesting sites (Adults, chicks and eggs) Socializing on the water |
Guaranteed Likelihood |
| Mid December - Mid February | Nesting sites Adults moulting (losing their feathers) Rehabilitation Socializing on the water |
High Likelihood Likelihood Likelihood |
| Mid-February - End of February | Some socializing on the water | Likelihood to None |
| March - Mid-April | Maybe late moulters at the beginning of March. Only in nesting sites. | None |
| Mid-April - end of May | Nesting sites (Adults on social visit) Socializing on the water |
High Likelihood High Likelihood |
| June - August | Nesting sites (Adults on social visit) Socializing on the water |
High Likelihood Likelihood Although it is rare not to have a single penguin in the bay, birds come and go and there are times with more penguins than others. You can call ahead to check what's happening in the bay. |
Note:
- We only rely on natural lighting as the penguin colony has been studied to be very sensitive to light.
- We generally depart 2.5 hours before sunset.
- Depending on the time of year we need to adjust the departure time but the table below gives you a rough idea of timings.
- As this activity happens outside and in isolated areas, there are risks involved that may be higher than day to day living so you can find our Risks disclosure here.
Approximate departure times:
| January | 7.30 - 7.00pm | July | 3.00pm | |
| February | 7.00 - 6.15pm | August | 3.30 - 4.00pm | |
| March | No tours | September | 4.00 - 4.30pm | |
| April | 4.00pm | October | 4.30 - 6.00pm | |
| May | 3.30pm | November | 6.00 - 7.00pm | |
| June | 3.00pm | December | 7.00 - 7.30pm |
