Pōhatu Penguin Tours offers guided wildlife experiences where visitors can see the rare white-flippered penguins in their natural habitat on Banks Peninsula, Canterbury.
Discover one of New Zealand’s most unique mainland penguin colonies through conservation-focused tours. Experiences include guided penguin encounters, sea kayaking, and scenic 4WD adventures across the rugged landscapes of Banks Peninsula.
Pōhatu Penguin Tours is a family-run eco-tourism and conservation experience based in Akaroa, Canterbury.
Tour the largest Australasian little blue penguin colony on mainland New Zealand. Experiences range from evening penguin viewing and Pōhatu Marine Reserve kayaking to scenic 4WD tours and overnight stays within the penguin colony.
Pōhatu / Flea Bay is a sheltered bay on the wild south-eastern corner of Banks Peninsula. It is home to more than 2,000 breeding little penguins, making it the largest mainland penguin colony in New Zealand. The area is also farmed with rare sheep breeds, and the Helps family has received multiple conservation awards for more than 30 years of hands-on penguin protection and habitat restoration.
Quick Facts
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Location: Akaroa, Banks Peninsula, Canterbury
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Best known for: White-flippered penguin conservation tours
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Main activities: Guided penguin tours, sea kayaking, scenic 4WD tours
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Suitable for: Families, couples, small groups, nature lovers
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Wildlife sightings: Little penguins, seabirds, marine life
Akaroa Penguin Tours – Evening Wildlife Experience
The Evening Penguin Tour allows visitors to observe penguins in the wild while learning how more than 30 years of conservation work has helped protect the Flea Bay colony.
Join experienced guides during their daily monitoring programme and gain insight into penguin behaviour, nesting, and conservation. Using binoculars and spotting scopes, guests may see penguins socialising on the water, with a high likelihood of watching them return ashore near the viewing hides just before dusk.
Tours operate year-round. From late February to early April, penguins spend more time at sea, and winter months may have shorter viewing windows. While it is rare not to see penguins in the bay, guests are welcome to call ahead for seasonal advice.
Between late November and February, tours may also offer the opportunity to observe penguin rehabilitation activities such as feeding and swim therapy, subject to rescued penguins being in care.
What the Tour Includes
- 4WD transport from Akaroa to Pōhatu Bay via scenic back-country routes
- A warm welcome from rare NZ sheep breeds, with opportunities for handfeeding
- A guided conservation walk within the penguin habitat
- Monitoring of active penguin nesting sites
- Use of camouflage clothing, binoculars, and spotting scopes
- Viewing penguins preening, resting, and socialising in the bay
- Potential to watch penguins return ashore at dusk from purpose-built hides
Scenic Nature Tours from Akaroa
The Scenic Nature Tour is ideal for visitors seeking a relaxed wildlife experience while learning about penguins and the biodiversity of Banks Peninsula.
These tours explore birds, insects, farm life, and conservation efforts, with panoramic views across Akaroa Harbour, the outer coast, farmland, and forested hills. Friendly sheep often provide a memorable welcome, with handfeeding encouraged.
Two- and four-hour tour options are available. The four-hour tour includes a visit to the Akaroa Head Lighthouse Reserve, opportunities to see New Zealand fur seals, and time to relax at Flea Bay with complimentary tea, coffee, and baked treats.
Akaroa Farmstay – Stay Inside a Penguin Colony
Spend the night at Pōhatu Bay with 24-hour or 48-hour Farmstay packages, offering a rare opportunity to stay within an active penguin conservation area.
The popular 24-hour Pōhatu Package includes return transport, accommodation, scenic nature tours, complimentary evening penguin viewing (in season), and highly discounted wildlife sea-kayaking safaris.
Accommodation options include a family-friendly cottage, a cosy cabin for couples, or a unique treehouse stay. Guests can relax at the safe swimming beach just metres from the accommodation or extend their stay to explore walking tracks across the property. Food is not included.
Tour Options
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Penguin Tours
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Wildside Discovery Tour
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24 / 48-hour Pōhatu Farmstay Packages
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Farmstay Accommodation Rental
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Hike and Kayak Tours
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Kayaking and Evening Penguin Tours
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Akaroa Wildlife Pass
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Akaroa Experience Package
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Team-building Activities
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Outdoor Education Programmes
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Group Tours
Frequently Asked Questions about Pōhatu Penguin Tours
Where are Pōhatu Penguin Tours located?
Pōhatu Penguin Tours is located at Pōhatu / Flea Bay on Banks Peninsula, near Akaroa in the Canterbury region of New Zealand.
What type of penguins can you see at Pōhatu?
Visitors may see the rare white-flippered penguin, a unique mainland variant of the little blue penguin found mainly on Banks Peninsula.
Is Pōhatu Penguin Tours suitable for families?
Yes, tours are suitable for families and small groups and are designed to be safe, educational, and respectful of wildlife.
Do you need a 4WD vehicle to visit Pōhatu Bay?
Independent access to Pōhatu Bay requires a 4WD vehicle, but guided tours include transport from Akaroa in a 4WD minibus.
When is the best time to see penguins at Pōhatu?
Penguins can be seen year-round, with the best viewing typically between late spring and summer. Seasonal variations apply, and winter viewing times may be shorter.
What activities are included with Pōhatu Penguin Tours?
Activities include guided penguin viewing, conservation walks, scenic 4WD tours, sea kayaking in the protected Pōhatu Marine Reserve, and overnight farmstay packages.
Are the tours conservation-focused?
Yes, Pōhatu Penguin Tours is a family-run conservation operation with more than 30 years of hands-on penguin protection, monitoring, and habitat restoration.
Plan Your Pōhatu Penguin Experience
Explore conservation-focused penguin tours, scenic nature experiences, and unique farmstay options in Akaroa.
