Six top places to see wild penguins in New Zealand

Last updated on January 14th, 2026 at 01:19 am

If you want to know the six best places to see wild penguins in New Zealand – keep reading!

Little blue penguins are found in the North and South Islands and in Stewart Island. Other, harder to find, penguins like the Fiordland crested penguin and yellow-eyed penguin are only found in the south of the country. Other varieties of penguin are found in New Zealand but only in the subantarctic islands.

But even though penguins are scattered across NZ, it can be hard to find them outside of these six top places below.

First a few important links to use when you plan your trip. They are affiliate links, but I use them all for my travels, and if you do too it will help me keep producing this content – and at no extra cost to you. Cheers!

Plan for your trip

Insurance – Click here for travel cover with SafetyWing. Almost any nationality, its ok if you are already traveling, up to 64 years old. Or click here for cover with EKTA – any nationality, any age and its ok if you are already traveling!

Accommodation – book a hotel with booking.com or Tripadvisor, or, a hostel with Hostelworld

Internet – get a highly rated yesim eSim before you go – click here for yours

Tours and Activities – book with Viator, Eatwith, or GetYourGuide. Top recommendations for the penguin must see’s are:
1. Watch penguins arrive home from their day out fishing in Oamaru
2. An evening tour to see the penguins arriving home each evening on the Otago Peninsula
3. 4-hour Wildlife Tour (small group 10max) on the Otago Peninsula on private land at Cape Saunders farm and the chance to see yellow-eyed penguins
4. The nightly 3 hour tour at Akaroa – fewer penguins but lots of passion and info
5. Not in the wild – but if you are desperate and short of time – see the little blue penguins at the NZ Antarctic Center in Christchurch!

Buses, trains, ferries and Flights – 12Go is now my first option for this, but for flights you can also find a good deal through Kiwi.com

Car rental – compare prices and get the best deals with Rentalcars.com

Hiking – use AllTrails for online and offline hiking trails – know where you are on the trail!

Thanks so much if you use one of these links – it costs you nothing but helps me keep writing!!

Hop to the six top places to see wild penguins in New Zealand, or have a quick read of these few fun facts first…

Fun Facts about penguins in New Zealand

Little Blue Penguins….

– are also known as the white flippered penguin, blue penguin, or little penguin.
– are nocturnal and they can be pretty noisy – I’ve stayed in a house in the Auckland area which the local little blues decided would be a good nesting site. Yep – they can be pretty noisy and are not really interested in your sleep requirements!
– moult for about two weeks (in summer) and they have to stay ashore for the whole two weeks, presumably getting hungry while all their feathers are replaced.
– have the scientific name ‘Eudyptula’ which means “good little diver” and they are good little divers!

Fiordland crested penguins….

– lay their eggs in isolated caves, bushes, and tree stumps and their nests can be hard to find – which is good as they are one of the rarest penguins.
– are one of the coolest penguins – they have a yellow streak either side of their head which they can fluff up into a crest like a rock star.
– also moult – for three weeks in February. They go to sea for a few months after raising their chicks.
– sound quite different from other penguins – more like a donkey braying and they also honk when at sea!

Yellow-eyed penguins…

– are the rarest penguin so please do not approach or linger on beaches if you see them as it can stop them feeding their chicks
– have red feet and a lot of yellow on their heads
– have high pitched musical voices but can also grunt and shout (in a high pitch)!
– are peaceful and like to sit a lot – making them easier prey and more easily disturbed by humans - so let them chill if you see them.

What time of year can I see penguins in New Zealand?

Little blue penguin: June to March

Yellow-eyed penguin: August to April

Fiordland-crested penguin: July to November (and sometimes during molting in February).

Where are the six best places I can see wild penguins in New Zealand?

Note the best times of year to see penguins above.

1. Pōhatu Bay – Akaroa

Pōhatu Bay is near Akaroa on Banks Peninsula and the largest colony of little blue penguins in NZ live here. There are more than 1000 pairs! They have a monitoring and rehabilitation program for the penguins and will take you out on one of their nightly 3 hour tours to get involved in this.

Or you can combine the penguin watch with a general tour of the area for 2-4 hours. Please note that you may not see many penguins, but you will learn a lot and see other animals! I always say – check the reviews before you book.

Stay in Akaroa at…

These three are very highly rated BnBs and any would be great: French Bay House, or, Oinako Bed and Breakfast, or L’Abri.

For a lower budget, but good reviews, try the Akaroa Top 10 Holiday Park which does everything from rooms to camping.

2. Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony

In Oamaru there are over 1,000 little blue penguins you can visit. You can watch the little blue penguins arrive home from their day fishing each evening!

Stay in Oamaru at…

For budget travelers or backpackers, try the private rooms or the dorm at Oamaru Backpackers. You could also try the Empire Hotel Backpackers

If you have a bit more budget try the fabulous Vicarage BnB!

And for a fabulous 2 bed apartment – try and get in at The Old Confectionery.

3. Otago Peninsula – Dunedin area

The Otago peninsula near Dunedin is popular for seeing little blue penguins and especially the yellow-eyed penguin. You can try it alone but there are plenty of tours on offer – some include seeing seals, sea lions, and the albatross colony. Some tour options – all highly rated are:

1. A 90-minute evening tour to see the penguins arriving home after the day at sea on the Otago Peninsula. You do need a car for this one to get you to the Albatross Center.

2. A 4.5-hour Otago Peninsula Scenery & Little Blue Penguin Tour at the Albatross Center – see a little more of the peninsula in addition to the penguins. This is a longer version of 1. and starts in Dunedin.

3. A 4-hour Wildlife Tour (small group 10max) on the Otago Peninsula where you will see more than penguins on private land at Cape Saunders farm. You will see a secluded breeding colony of NZ fur seals, a variety of sea birds and the native conservation reserve – vital breeding grounds for yellow-eyed penguins and New Zealand sea lions. The same tour is found on GYG here.

4. A 6-hour extended tour similar to 3 above but with more to see and do around Dunedin and the peninsula.

Stay in Dunedin at…

A top spot is Aurora on George.

For a mid range homestay style, with fabulous reviews, is Hunter’s Moon Boutique Farm Stay. Or try the Amross Motel, or a private room in Manor on the Park.

And if you’re backpacking you can choose either of these top rated hostels: UpTown Backpackers, or, Manor on the Park.

4. Stewart Island and Ulva Island

Good for the Fiordland crested penguin in the spring (approximately July-Nov), as well as the Little blue and yellow-eyed penguins year round. This Ulva island tour will take you to see bird life but keep an eye out for penguins en route. Also check around the Oban jetty at night for little blue penguins – you can often see them and it costs nothing!

You might also see kiwis on the Rakiura track on Stewart Island. Read more about the Rakiura Great Walk.

I’d recommend staying at Stewart Island Backpackers if you are on a budget – as a bonus you might also find kiwis on your doorstep like I did!

Stay in Stewart Island at…

Higher End – Kowhai Lane Lodge with great hosts who will look after you well. or Evening Cove or Butterfield Beach Studio

Mid Range – Try either The Bay Motel or the South Sea Hotel

Backpackers – stay at the great Stewart Island Backpackers!

5. Monro Beach

Monro Beach is in South Westland and around a 30 min walk from Lake Moeraki. Go to see the Fiordland crested penguin here from July to November around dusk. (Sometimes you might see them in February.)

Go alone or take a guided tour from the Lake Moeraki Wilderness Lodge. (Note the carpark for the walk is next to the lodge.) I recommend staying at the lodge if you can as there are other walks and things to do in the area!

Stay near Monro Beach at…

There’s one place right there – its the Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki.

Otherwise stay in the nearby, and lovely, Haast Beach Motel.

On a budget try the Haast River Motels & Holiday Park or the Heartland Hotel Haast.

6. Curio Bay

Curio Bay is in The Catlins and a great spot for the yellow-eyed penguins who come and go each morning and evening to feed. (Its also a cool place with its fossilized forest.)

And if you really want it all, then try staying at this place where penguins nest around the accommodation! (PS – you can sit back, relax, and watch dolphins from your couch too. What could be better!)

Stay near Curio Bay at…

Try the Curio Bay Salthouse – get the apartment upstairs for views! Its right there on the bay and if they are around, you can also watch the hector dolphins surfing from your apartment!

For a 4-bedroom house you cant go past the nearby Crayfish Creek Farm Stay!

More places to see wild New Zealand penguins

There are a few more places where you might spot New Zealand penguins.
* Little Blues – Marlborough Sounds, Abel Tasman National Park, Kaikoura, Timaru, Waiheke Island near the Kennedy Point marina, and the Hauraki gulf (around Auckland) in general if you are out on a boat.
* Fiordland Crested penguins - on a boat tour of Milford or Doubtful Sound.

If you’re desperate you can see penguins at aquariums and zoos in NZ too!

Can’t make it to see penguins in the wild? I’m not generally a fan of aquariums and zoos but if you are desperate you can see them at the following places:
– Auckland Zoo (check here for discount Auckland Zoo entry tickets)
– SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton’s Aquarium in Auckland. (check here for discount SEA LIFE entry tickets)
– The National Aquarium in Napier – tickets and info can be found here.
– The International NZ Antarctic Center in Christchurch

Keeping penguins safe & responsible viewing

New Zealand law protects penguins. DOC (The NZ Department of Conservation) has information on penguins and how you can keep them safe. These are the key points:
* Leave penguins alone
* When penguins look scruffy they are probably molting so again – leave them alone.
* Read any DOC signs and keep a safe distance from the penguins.
* Keep your dog on a lead around penguin areas.
* If you spot an injured penguin or one in immediate danger, contact the emergency hotline at 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468).

Was that enough info for you to see penguins in the wild in New Zealand? I hope so!
If not, I have a final tip – always ask the locals as they may have ‘secret spots’ not mentioned here.

Enjoy 🙂

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