Photo opportunities
Fully experienced guides
Evening Tours
Natural environment
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. 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 socializing on the water. 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 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.) |
|
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. |
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 |