Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony
Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony
Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony
4
10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Full view
About
The Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony provides visitors with an opportunity to see little penguins in their natural environment. In the evening, visitors are captivated by watching the nightly arrival of penguins from their days fishing at sea. The Colony is a tourism operation with a strong research and conservation focus. At the core of the operation is a long-term conservation programme that ensures the penguins are protected and that the population achieves long-term stability. An important and unique part of that conservation programme is the Colony's Research Scientist who is now one of New Zealand’s leading little penguin experts.
Oamaru, New Zealand
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Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
996 reviews
Excellent
511
Very good
276
Average
96
Poor
57
Terrible
56
Monica D
Arequipa, Peru39 contributions
Jan 2020
Up close wild life experience like no other. The penguins return to their nests every evening like clockwork. While you wait on the bleachers for them to appear from the ocean, very knowledgeable guides tell you about their lives and habits. The colony is a preservation effort and the high price of admission supports the work. Happily the population is growing, so the effort is successful. The higher priced premium seats put you closer to the birds as they cross an open lawn to their nests; the bleachers allow you to watch them climbing the rock bank first. At the very end of the evening, several birds crossed to the bleachers so we could see them just over the railing. Be aware: NO PHOTOS ALLOWED.
Written 27 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Monica, thank you for your review! We're glad you had a great time and indeed, conservation is a big part of our work!
Written 6 February 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
nzp0ppy
New Zealand27 050 contributions
Oct 2021
What an absolute delight. We were fortunate to visit on a night when there werent a lot of other guests so we had plenty of room.
We were very lucky with close to 300 penguins coming ashore. All just metres from us. Watching the penguins scuttle around the wallowing seals on the grass was entertaining.
The penguins would raft up offshore and then we would watch them surf the waves onto the rocks and scramble up onto shore. The waves would suck the ones at the back into the ocean and they would start again.
The majority of penguins waddled right in front of the premium stands - less than a metre from the front seats. However, a number did make their way through the corridor in the general stand so sitting right nest to the corridor would be a good option if you in general.
Premium v General seating. The Premium has more comfortable plastic seats. The majority of the penguins waddle right past the stadium and after the penguins have arrived the premium stands leave via the boardwalk which goes right through the penguin nests. Penguins are on the boardwalk, right beside it and just centimetres away. So thats pretty special. The only downside of the premium is it doesnt get as good views of the penguins returning from the sea and clambering onto the rocks. But you do get much closer to the majority penguins on shore
The ocean breeze can blow right into the viewing areas so rug up - gloves, hats, thick jacket and maybe a blanket will keep you cosy for the duration (could be up to 1.5 hours).
We were especially lucky to see some Orca who cruised along the shoreline when we arrived. Fortunately no penguins were harmed and the orca had left before the penguins arrived ashore.
Truely a delightful experience. We were fortunate to see lots of penguins. Do be aware they are wild animals and experiences can vary. But even the lone penguin who waddled around earlier would have made it worth visiting.
No photography permitted so you can sit back and enjoy the show.
We were very lucky with close to 300 penguins coming ashore. All just metres from us. Watching the penguins scuttle around the wallowing seals on the grass was entertaining.
The penguins would raft up offshore and then we would watch them surf the waves onto the rocks and scramble up onto shore. The waves would suck the ones at the back into the ocean and they would start again.
The majority of penguins waddled right in front of the premium stands - less than a metre from the front seats. However, a number did make their way through the corridor in the general stand so sitting right nest to the corridor would be a good option if you in general.
Premium v General seating. The Premium has more comfortable plastic seats. The majority of the penguins waddle right past the stadium and after the penguins have arrived the premium stands leave via the boardwalk which goes right through the penguin nests. Penguins are on the boardwalk, right beside it and just centimetres away. So thats pretty special. The only downside of the premium is it doesnt get as good views of the penguins returning from the sea and clambering onto the rocks. But you do get much closer to the majority penguins on shore
The ocean breeze can blow right into the viewing areas so rug up - gloves, hats, thick jacket and maybe a blanket will keep you cosy for the duration (could be up to 1.5 hours).
We were especially lucky to see some Orca who cruised along the shoreline when we arrived. Fortunately no penguins were harmed and the orca had left before the penguins arrived ashore.
Truely a delightful experience. We were fortunate to see lots of penguins. Do be aware they are wild animals and experiences can vary. But even the lone penguin who waddled around earlier would have made it worth visiting.
No photography permitted so you can sit back and enjoy the show.
Written 22 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ina
Newcastle, Australia346 contributions
Aug 2022
My husband and I visited Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony and had a wonderful time. We opted for a premium option, and it was well worth the extra few dollars. The premium option gives you a far superior view and a close-up experience of both seals and penguins. Plus, it is for a good cause since all the money is used to support the research and protect the penguins. Before the penguins arrived, our guide provided us with some interesting facts about the penguins and all the research/support that they do at the colony. Once our guide spotted a raft of penguins at sea, she pointed it out to us, and we then proceeded to sit quietly and wait for the little penguins. We had over 200 penguins that evening. They came at different times in different size groups, and we spent over an hour watching them come ashore and hustle off to their nesting boxes. We really enjoyed our evening. Make sure you dress in warm clothes since it can get very cold.
Written 13 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
suzieFortCollins
Fort Collins857 contributions
Jan 2020
First, this is a great informative, educational center. A great place to learn about the penguins, BUT that being said don't expect to see the penguins up close. You are in 2 seating areas , where the penguins come up from the beach at dusk. So you see them from afar, you can pay more to be in the viewing area a little closer to where they come up BUT it really isn't much better and more expensive. SO go to learn more about the penguins and catch them coming up the rocks from afar and in the dark.
Written 25 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Parsons4
4 contributions
Dec 2019 • Family
Seeing little blue penguins was a part of our trip we opted not to DIY and paid to attend the evening viewing. Very glad to support conservation and local employment. The evening was a lot of "hurry up and wait" as penguins have their own timetable but once the rafts began arriving it was fascinating to watch them. Wouldn't bother with premium seating as we saw plenty from the economy rows.
Tip, take a cushion to sit on as you are sitting on tiered steps for quite some time. Also stay until the end when you are able to walk around and see penguin antics up close.
No photography is allowed which is good for penguins and people, being present to the moment rather than trying to capture it.
Tip, take a cushion to sit on as you are sitting on tiered steps for quite some time. Also stay until the end when you are able to walk around and see penguin antics up close.
No photography is allowed which is good for penguins and people, being present to the moment rather than trying to capture it.
Written 9 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
simie
Onehunga, New Zealand9 contributions
Aug 2022 • Couples
Came here for blue penguin viewing, its our second time, the first time is blue penguin viewing in dunedin( super recommended)
We were disappointed no videos, no phones are allowed, unlike the one we visit in Dunedin , you can film as long as you dont disturb them.
Someone cancelled our online booking and was told when we got there. They book us in again which is fine. Abit weird how they seperate premium and normal veiwing , and its on the pricy side, premeium is $55 per person . The one we went before with much closer encounter and allow filming is $35 pp.
Also I felt bad to seperate ppl for what they can afford . You pay to view the penguins everyone should see the same, shouldnt hiearchy people like this.
We saw more than 200penguins ( similar size to the one we saw in Dunedin) around 2 metre away from them , cant go to the side stand cant pass the white line etc.
The guide just tell us general fact without any interactive convo, just a show. After all penguins arrive she just left , and for us to spend as much time along tge bridge where the penguins still preparing to get back to their cave. That was very close encounter , but make me wonder about what those rules about when we at the stand.
I would recommend to go to the other blue penguin viewing in Dunedin if you are heading that way anyways, less price better value.
We were disappointed no videos, no phones are allowed, unlike the one we visit in Dunedin , you can film as long as you dont disturb them.
Someone cancelled our online booking and was told when we got there. They book us in again which is fine. Abit weird how they seperate premium and normal veiwing , and its on the pricy side, premeium is $55 per person . The one we went before with much closer encounter and allow filming is $35 pp.
Also I felt bad to seperate ppl for what they can afford . You pay to view the penguins everyone should see the same, shouldnt hiearchy people like this.
We saw more than 200penguins ( similar size to the one we saw in Dunedin) around 2 metre away from them , cant go to the side stand cant pass the white line etc.
The guide just tell us general fact without any interactive convo, just a show. After all penguins arrive she just left , and for us to spend as much time along tge bridge where the penguins still preparing to get back to their cave. That was very close encounter , but make me wonder about what those rules about when we at the stand.
I would recommend to go to the other blue penguin viewing in Dunedin if you are heading that way anyways, less price better value.
Written 1 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rantin rover
Biggar, UK9 047 contributions
Mar 2020
We were aware of the Blue Penguin Colony site and were staying at accommodation nearby however we were slightly put off by the "staged" element of what is a natural experience and in the end didn't visit at showtime in the early evening when the penguins return to roost. I understand that the visitor centre income contributes to preservation in the same way a zoo does however the experience is not as appealing to us as seeing the birds truly in the wild.
We visited during the day and saw a couple of grandstands and lots of nesting boxes dotted around an area near the shoreline which is fenced off. When we walked the path we could see quite a few seals had taken up residence in the area to sun themselves. It was good to watch how others made their way ashore in what were quite rocky and wild conditions. Presumably the penguins have a similar route.
The cafe wasn't open at the time so, as we made our way back to the town centre, we snapped the road sign warning about penguins crossing (our only penguin sighting in Oamaru). We were surprised by the huge amount of Otago Shags which were preening themselves on the nearby Victorian Sumpter Wharf oblivious to all. This colony is apparently rare in itself and hopefully the wharf provides a safe haven for some time to come, albeit it did look a little battered.
Even rarer yellow-eyed penguins apparently come ashore just outside Oamaru at Bushy Beach and there are hides established to view them from a distance prior to sunset.
We visited in March 2020, prior to Covid-19 lockdown.
We visited during the day and saw a couple of grandstands and lots of nesting boxes dotted around an area near the shoreline which is fenced off. When we walked the path we could see quite a few seals had taken up residence in the area to sun themselves. It was good to watch how others made their way ashore in what were quite rocky and wild conditions. Presumably the penguins have a similar route.
The cafe wasn't open at the time so, as we made our way back to the town centre, we snapped the road sign warning about penguins crossing (our only penguin sighting in Oamaru). We were surprised by the huge amount of Otago Shags which were preening themselves on the nearby Victorian Sumpter Wharf oblivious to all. This colony is apparently rare in itself and hopefully the wharf provides a safe haven for some time to come, albeit it did look a little battered.
Even rarer yellow-eyed penguins apparently come ashore just outside Oamaru at Bushy Beach and there are hides established to view them from a distance prior to sunset.
We visited in March 2020, prior to Covid-19 lockdown.
Written 26 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brettsue
Invercargill, New Zealand176 contributions
Sept 2020
Wow! We've always gone with the free penguin viewing options but decided this time to pay. It's expensive ($55pp for the premium seat but reduced by 20% for the month of September) but really it was a great experience. After sitting quiet and still in the cold and dark for what felt like ages, we eventually saw 234 tiny little penguins come home from the day of fishing. Most of them passed within about 5 metres of where we were sitting and would have been closer if a sleepy old fur seal hadn't been blocking their path. They're so noisy too! With the premium option you get to walk (on a boardwalk) amongst the little fellas which is a really special experience too. You can see at very close range (maybe only a metre away) as they go into their nests and "cuddle" their family members and chat to each other etc. It was really very special.There were only about 10 of us there on Sunday night and only 4 in the premium seats so we had plenty of space. It's very cold just sitting and waiting though, so be sure to wrap up really well.
Written 7 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SKKBmouth
Wimborne Minster, UK639 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
Not cheap but worthwhile to see the blue penguins come ashore and hear about the conservation work that your money helps to fund. Wrap up warm. You can stay as long as you like but be quiet. I enjoyed my visit.
Written 2 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Superpear
New Plymouth, New Zealand1 309 contributions
Oct 2020
What a great experience this was, and a must do if you are at all in to nature. A big tip is to pay more for the premium seating as the penguins walk by just a few meteres away. The weather was not the kindest when we were there (freezing cold, howling gale, and big seas) but that was soon forgotten as over 200 of the little penguins came ashore, marched up the rocks and into the colony.
A real plus for the premium seating is then walking back to the entrance on the boardwalks which meanders around the hides. There were loads of penguins out of their hides includes lots of fledgling chicks.
A brilliant evening.
A real plus for the premium seating is then walking back to the entrance on the boardwalks which meanders around the hides. There were loads of penguins out of their hides includes lots of fledgling chicks.
A brilliant evening.
Written 19 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yes you could depending on where you are. Like the other person says, check on google maps if you are ok with the distance there and back. It is a bit dark and quiet in the evening but I am sure it would be fine. I had two children so they weren’t too impressed with walking and also we were up on the hills at the back of town rather than on the flat shore front
Written 7 August 2019
There was close to 80 for the evening but lots hide too
Written 6 November 2019
Were you able to see the penguins come out of the ocean from the Premium Seating area or did you only see them once they were on the ground and walking past to their homes?
Written 3 October 2018
We were in the regular seating area; I actually think we had a better view of the penquins coming out of the ocean and climbing up the cliffs.
The premium seating in much closer to the area where the penquins make their dash from top of the cliff across a short grassy patch to their burrows , so at that stage viewers in the premium seating get a more close-up view.
Written 13 October 2018
your website showing premium seat ssold out for 23rd march but i m still able to book. should I book premium seats?
Written 20 March 2018
best to phone or email the colony directly and check with them directly.
Written 21 March 2018
Hi,
We will be in Oamaru on March 23rd (if we get Visa on time). I need to know following:
1) when should I book the premium viewing tickets?
2) are the tickets refundable, in case our Visa doesnt come on time
3) what time can we expect to see penguins coming back to the colony
4) I have a back problem due to which i can not walk/climb steep heights. for reaching premium seating, do I need to climb or is it easily accessible?
Thanks
Written 28 February 2018
Yes tickets can be refunded if you aren’t able to get your visa. The evening viewing starts at 8pm so the penguins should of start arriving between 8.15pm and 8.30pm. We count the penguins for one hour from the first penguin arriving. The walkway to the premium stand is an easy walk on the boardwalks. There are stairs in the stand.
Written 3 March 2018
We chose to view the penguins from the levy by the beach for free, and we took pictures! Just have to walk around the restaurant to the beach and wait for the little guys to show up, usually right at 8:15pm. Use a tripod and a telephoto lens for good shots.
Written 9 March 2018
would I see the penguins before 8pm as this is the time I need to leave
Written 11 April 2017
Hi, at the moment the evening viewing starts at 6.30pm, this changes to 6pm on the 16th April. The penguins generally start arriving back from sea within 30 minutes of the start time. We count the penguins for one hour, from the time that the first penguin arrives. Hope this information helps.
Written 12 April 2017
I have tried emailing these people 5 times to confirm/change our reservation and have had no response. Has anyone else had this problem? Frustrating that the people running this place don't or won't answer their inquiries.
Written 13 October 2016
Hi Jim, I'm the Operations Manager at the Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony. I have checked with our resevations team, and can confirm that they have responded to each of your emails, however you don't seem to be receiving them. Can you check your junk mail box just in case they are going there. I ahve sent another repsonse this morning from my email address. Can you please confirm that you ahve received this. I can confirm that your reservation is confirmed for the 23 Nov.
Written 13 October 2016
I drove, leaving Christchurch at about 10am and arriving Oamaru mid afternoon.
Written 30 July 2016
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