Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony
Reviews
J P Schurer
Ranking: 7/10
Nice to see the birds!
Dina Schurer
Ranking: 7/10
Nice to see the birds in their own habitat.
Dries
Ranking: 9/10
Too cool to be blue! No pictures are allowed.
Sophie
Ranking: 10/10
Be there after 3pm and have enough time there, when you are patient you will see a lot of penguins on the beach - awesome and free.
Nicholas Strozza
Ranking: 8/10
The set up was very comfortable for the guest and the penguins appeared to be very uninterrupted by the observations.
Jasmine Rogers
Ranking: 10/10
If you want to see penguins, come here. The Albatross Centre in Otago offered a similar experience but for double the price. This area in Oamaru let us see over 300 penguins coming ashore. This was a spectacle to see. I would do the night viewing and pay the extra, you won't be disappointed!!
Lothen
Ranking: 8/10
Very nice short trip, we only saw two penguins because we were too early. Best time to go is 5pm.
Jill Stebbing
Ranking: 9/10
We had waited hours to see two yellow eyed penguins in the distance earlier so decided to pay to see them instead. Saw 70 or so come ashore!
Philipp
Ranking: 2/10
You hardly see the penguins. Too far away.
Lea Watterson
Ranking: 9/10
Expensive but awesome to see. Too bad you couldn't get closer or take photos. I understand why though.
James Esele
Ranking: 7/10
You can see some penguins and if you are lucky some seals. But it was very cold and you have to wait.
Fanny DeBon
Ranking: 8/10
Very good view of the penguins, we could see them struggling to get on the beach and meeting their 'mates'.
Hubert
Ranking: 10/10
We could see penguins at night or early in the morning near the port and on the beach - AMAZING!
Christoph
Ranking: 10/10
You wait on the wharf behind the fence and see the landing of the penguins.
Coralie Ambrosino
Ranking: 8/10
Wait till 10pm and you will see a lot of penguins crossing the road!
Kiernan Matthew
Ranking: 7/10
Staff helpful and informative and good to see lots of penguins. However it was quite pricey and not being allowed to take photos was a shame, although I understand some people accidentally leave the flash on and scare the penguins which explains ban,.
Alexis Redor
Ranking: 9/10
Very cheap to see penguins.
Henrik Suefke
Ranking: 10/10
Yes it is a bit pricey, but the experience of >150 penguins (in Oamaru), walking 2 metres past us to their burrows was incredible. If you can, pay extras for the premium tickets to be closest to the action.
Lars Borgaa
Ranking: 4/10
We were in New Zealand 12 years ago and had a beautiful experience with the Blue Penguins and it was beautiful. Now when we came with our daughter it was made into a business and the cost of it was around $80.
Sagi
Ranking: 2/10
We saw only one! Waste of time. If you want to see them for free, go to the Catlins.
Lorraine Walker
Ranking: 9/10
First class, magical experience. Saw penguins close up and chance to walk via the resting sites.
Michael Walker
Ranking: 10/10
Delightful experience watching them heading to their nesting boxes from the sea.
Glenn Surzur
Ranking: 4/10
Very expensive and it is a tourist attraction.
Jim Woodruff
Ranking: 10/10
Couldn't wait to get there and watch 168 little bues finish their daily fishing and come home. Great!
Mette, Bo, Viktor & Olivia Seligmann
Ranking: 4/10
We found it a very expensive turisty setting. But we were there beginning of April and only saw 20-25 penguins, so I am not sure how many you will find if you go to some of the other locations around town?? A few people had told us that the penguins would be everywhere, also in the parking area. That is not the case this time og year.
Michael Nolan
Ranking: 10/10
Very enjoyable visit - so nice to see creatures in the 'wild' behaving in a normal manner for them. Hope our visit fees help to preserve these endangered birds.
Liam Day
Ranking: 10/10
See and experience penguins at old Oamaru without paying for a tour. Saw lots walking around streets, well worth it.
Lis Bon
Ranking: 10/10
Fantastic!
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Marjo Cousijn
Ranking: 9/10
Very interesting, good and a lot of information.
C Schaap
Ranking: 8/10
Very good.
Dagette
Ranking: 8/10
Yes there was a cost involved and you can see them for free elsewhere - however we went on a lovely night, no wind and fellow tourists were all lovely. My son got to chat with guide al lot and helped spot the rafts of penguins coming in. For those in Australia - think Philip island on a much much smaller scale.
Frank Schedler
Ranking: 5/10
Very commercial activity, nice nature and animals but the money not worth it - watch it outside in the nature.
gareth williams
Ranking: 5/10
expensive experience and bad experience! surrounded by rude people in the grand stands standing and climbing over people, taking pictures with flash when requested not to do so. felt sorry for the penguins they should not have to deal with loud people in their habitats. saw more penguins down in the car-park and on return journey to the campsite! waiting at the hide at the yellow eye colony is a much better experience.
Hazel & Alan Damerell
Ranking: 10/10
Awesome experience - value for money.
Wright
Ranking: 10/10
A bit commercial, but penguins choose to reutrn daily, so top marks
Emma Bagguley
Ranking: 4/10
$10 for a student, guides did not advise us when the best time to see them was until we had paid so we went during the day when 90% of the penguins are at sea. Go early or late in the day.
John A Jerome
Ranking: 6/10
Chinese were disruptive and distracting taking pictures and not staying seated.
Katrawa
Ranking: 5/10
Very touristy, lots of people, could not see the penguins coming out of the water, but sweet penguins.
Koster
Ranking: 10/10
Surprised at how great the 'show' was! About 100+ blue penguins came in from the sea within a 45 minute time frame. Wonderful way to view them and even watched the feedings!
Michael & Rosemary Smith
Ranking: 9/10
Anyone interested in birds should see these, anyone not interested should too!
Jensen Bresbenbeek
Ranking: 7/10
Was nice on the beach to watch the penguins come. Tourist centre disappointing. Too short and too little to see in comparison with the price.
Rebecca & Hugh Small
Ranking: 5/10
We loved seeing the penguins though the commentary lacked excitement. However, we paid $25 and afterwards we saw dozens of penguins on our walk back! For free......
Steve
Ranking: 3/10
Not worth the money! You have to pay big bucks while you are not even allowed to take a picture or film, even without flash. The organisation has webcams, mikes etc.
Tim Laurent
Ranking: 5/10
DON'T PAY FOR ACCESS! Wait until it is dark and look out for penguins around the carpark. Too expensive.
Louise van der Hyden
Ranking: 4/10
We saw 4 penguins in boxes, we thought there would be more.
Lynda Hutchins
Ranking: 10/10
Very informative tour of Oamaru and penguin site. Excellent talk at penguin sanctuary - very knowledgable.
Keith Ogley
Ranking: 6/10
Interesting and staff helpful but day time visiting expensive for what it is.
topsy08
Ranking: 7/10
It was nice to see the penguins up close but there were a lot of people there, very touristy and it felt a bit fake. Not too pricey but then not much info given either.
Charlie
Ranking: 9/10
Fun watching the penguins ( some 200 or so of them) come ashore at night.
Naomi Kosteaman
Ranking: 9/10
See 200 penguins coming home out of the sea going to the nest in 1 hour.
Doris Neuber
Ranking: 7/10
Most of the information the guide has given couldn't understand because he spoke very fast and not well pronounced. (Maybe other foreigners have the same problem).
Katie Mitchell
Ranking: 9/10
We loved watching the little blue penguins, great they can provide this facility where you can sit comfortably & watch the little guys come back to their homes. Would've been 100% if some of the people could have controlled their kids better, but this isn't the Operator's fault.
Gerhard
Ranking: 8/10
Successful but a little bit commercial.
Rian Bach
Ranking: 5/10
You wait a long time to see a few penguins coming out of the water. If you bring your binoculars its nice, but still a little like a tourist trap.
Kasten
Ranking: 8/10
Very sweet, but too touristy.
C P Lawrence
Ranking: 4/10
A poor commentary, we did far better the next evening at Pilots Beach, Otago Peninsula doing our own careful viewing by good torch light.
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Julia
Ranking: 5/10
You just see some penguins walking out of the sea. Really cute but too expensive as well.
Teknik151
Ranking: 4/10
Sure, you get to see about 100 blue penguins, but the entire "show" feels like a ripoff. If you wait outside the venue or spend some time waiting near the harbour you might as well see some penguins really close - without busloads of tourists and without the fee.
Andy Martin
Ranking: 8/10
200 blue penguins came ashore at dusk in rafts (feb), waddle ashore to their burroiws, often standing around preening themselves - wait til the end and then get a closer view when less peeple around.
Dana Pagliarini
Ranking: 5/10
We had a guided tour and the guide was not that good - there were only two penguins with their chick visible in a dark chamber - but we were not informed about this before.
Werner Zuis
Ranking: 1/10
Rip off, touristy, spectacle, not worth one dollar, tourist trap.
Bowness
Ranking: 10/10
Excellent.
Warris2500
Ranking: 4/10
Total rip off.
Versteeg
Ranking: 7/10
Pretty good sighting at dusk when penguins return. Entrance fee is rather high.
Richard Pearson
Ranking: 6/10
Okay but limited viewing, however well run with good information available.
David B
Ranking: 9/10
Fab. Sit near the top of viewing area 2 the views of the penguins coming home to nest - out of this world.
Victoria Slater
Ranking: 6/10
It was fantastic to see the penguins - you're guaranteed to see them here. However we felt it was rather overpriced and the woman giving the show was so bossy and officious as to make us feel a bit ripped off.
Don & Alice
Ranking: 9/10
Seeing the penguins come home after a day of fishing is awesome.
Sievers
Ranking: 9/10
Nice look at penguins, good explanations, little to expensive, cute.
Anji Sprinks
Ranking: 8/10
Driver great and very informative. The operators at the penquin sites should be given customer care course, to be taught how to speak tourist in a pleasant manner.
OliverG1
Ranking: 9/10
Nice walk, unfortunately no penguins, but two seals.
Ronny
Ranking: 6/10
Not allowed to make pictures. Told us after we purchased the tickets.
Sheila Morgan
Ranking: 10/10
We raced there from Christchurch to see them at dusk. Very tiny Blue Penquins - so sweet, so patient, thoroughly recommended
Amanda Iavarone
Ranking: 10/10
Paid a small fee towards conservation. Very informative talk. Saw 130 penguins.
Annette Schmitt
Ranking: 4/10
Very expensive for a view, very cold, cute and many very little penquins, the staff behaves as they have a lot of customers every day.
Cyriel Schacken
Ranking: 7/10
they have to take better care of the peguins after the visit.
Thorben Thede
Ranking: 9/10
New, nice to see especially when you stay to the end, when there is only a couple of people left
Terry Phillips
Ranking: 8/10
Watched these little blue penquins come out of sea at dusk and back to their nesting burrows. A fantastic experience.
Nadine Schaee
Ranking: 6/10
Too cold, waiting time too long, expensive, but we liked the penguins
Marcel Schleinkcfer
Ranking: 10/10
Quite exciting to discover seals and penguins in the the wild. Other seal view points such as Ohao Point which are of course even more exciting since seals can be seen in great number.
Alexis De Wilde
Ranking: 7/10
Price too high for what we have seen.
Mark Jenkins
Ranking: 5/10
$5.00 too see penguins. Pointless as they were all in nest during the day.
Silvana Thom
Ranking: 10/10
Respectful!! Great.
Simon Bartholomew
Ranking: 10/10
Up close and personal.
Congratulations Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony
cees juffermans
Ranking: 3/10
They seemed like a protecting company. We were not allowed to take photos, yet the speaker and kids make so much noise. It was un-natural.
wenerz
Ranking: 1/10
A touristy spectacle and a rip off. Not worth one dollar. Tourist trap/
Chance McGuire
Ranking: 10/10
Great experience! Saw something like 150 penguins come ashore. It's pretty cool to watch them head to their homes where their families are waiting anxiously. Be careful when you're driving off, there were penguins stumbling around everywhere... pretty entertaining in itself. Well worth the money.
purplekat99
Ranking: 9/10
I loved it! Yes, it was a little overpriced and the commentator when I was there wasn't the best, but I saw sooo many penguins! Was really fun watching them all "fall" onto the shore. If you want to save a few bucks, try your luck in the parking lot when everyone is leaving. Those penguin warning signs don't lie! Had to avoid a few on the drive out.
alasiac
Ranking: 10/10
Great information on the penguins, very helpful staff. Viewing hatch is a bit smelly.
brianp
Ranking: 8/10
Good commentary on the history of the town and visit to little blue penguins. Pity there wasn't much time to see them before the coach had the leave.
Rose and Jess Damon and Esler
Ranking: 6/10
Excellent viewing of penguins coming ashore (that's what we came for, right?) BUT... they really need to get a different commentator. The guy reading the nature information sounded like a grade four student reading aloud in perfect MONOTONE for the first time. Also, they need to work out how to control the weather, 'cause we got soaked. And we wish we had realised there were vouchers available BEFORE we paid for it. Oops.
JanW
Ranking: 8/10
A very good project. Its worth what you pay for it.
ChristineM
Ranking: 10/10
Excellent viewing of Penguins coming ashore.
SebastianGermany1
Ranking: 9/10
A ranger showed us the yellow-eyed-penguins on the beach.
SiegfriedL
Ranking: 10/10
Everything was Okay.
Ian
Ranking: 8/10
Great experience. Just feet away from these unique little creatures. Downside is coach loads of people ariving mid landing and failing to understand 'Can you please be quiet'
Tatjane
Ranking: 2/10
Far too expensive. You can also see penguins on the parking side.
Paul
Ranking: 9/10
Great info & facilities.
Klaus
Ranking: 7/10
Masses of people in buses coming through.
Volders
Ranking: 10/10
They were very flexible with us and we were able to tour during the day so we could take the kids. Took us behind the scenes and offering us a unique personalised service. Great informative photos so the kids could learn also.
Dot & Gordon Quaid
Ranking: 9/10
Mid-November visit, glad we made the decision to watch the penguins arrive en masse at the colony. They could be seen from every seat in the hide and were fascinating to watch. Little Blues also nest under old buildings in historic Oamaru where they walk the streets at night, lol...but the organized viewing was a nice way to spend the evening, lots of penguins to see. This is a good experience for kids and the behind the scenes tour is very interesting too.
Be careful driving in the area - the penguins cross the roads - and one reason no one told us (except Michelle at Bushy Beach) why you don't take photos: the flash hurts the penguin's eyes, in addition to scaring them. Wish they would post signs wih that info in town.
Roger & Margaret
Ranking: 8/10
Done pretty well. You can pay a little more and look into the nesting boxes which is interesting.
John Howlett
Ranking: 7/10
Blimming cold and windy. Narrator was an ex school teacher and patronising.
Dupre
Ranking: 7/10
Well explained but needed to be there for the night tour. More penguins.
Paul Cowie
Ranking: 9/10
Very enthusiastic staff. Entertaining to watch the penguins, cool little guys!
Floren
Ranking: 9/10
Really well organised. About 10m away from the penguins
Killerblow
Ranking: 10/10
Absolute quality! Great viewing area, informative commentary and a host of other creatures (possums, shags, rabbits and even a ferret(?)) to keep you entertained before the "raft" (a group of little blues floating around in teh sea) comes ashore. Must see when in Oamaru.
TeamFlorida
Ranking: 10/10
Even great in the rain
John Beirne
Ranking: 10/10
Would be good if they controlled the crowd a bit better.
Pete
Ranking: 9/10
Best $15 we have ever spent but please don't let people come in late!
Mitch
Ranking: 8/10
Shouldn't let people in late - esp when penguins are coming ashore.
Ian
Ranking: 9/10
To us worth every dollar just to see the penguins.