Penguin Tours

Pohatu is the largest Australasian Little Penguin colony on mainland New Zealand. Francis and Shireen Helps have worked over the last two decades protecting White-flippered Penguins (Eudyptula minor albosignata), Canterbury's own subspecies of Australasian Little Penguin, from introduced predators. Because of the sensitive wildlife habitat only guided groups are taken into the breeding colony to view the White-flippered Penguins.

On these tours you may also see one of the Yellow Eyed Penguins who frequent the bay.

The best time for penguin viewing is the breeding season between end of August and January. Penguins moult through to mid February. There are also small windows of excellent viewing opprtunities from early April to September when the birds return periodically from sea.

Penguin evening tour: There are two evening tour options.

Option one:
Option one includes pick-up at Akaroa, spectacular Scenic 4 WD to Pohatu with photo stop opportunities, penguin viewing and guided walks through the penguin colony.

Tour length is approximately two and a half to three hours.

$66 per person
$55 child under 12 years

Family of 4 or more:
$50 per person

Option two:
The road to Pohatu is a steep and narrow shingle road and recommended for 4 WD vehicles only.

If you have a suitable vehicle you may join the tour at Pohatu. Prebooking is essential.

$20 per person