Curio Bay Penguin Watch
Reviews
Justin White
Ranking: 4/10
Oct 2020, started waiting at 5 pm. The penguin arrived at 8:40 pm and it was too dark and they were too far away to see them. It’s a pretty beach, and if you’re fine waiting there and not seeing a penguin then go ahead, but I really wanted to see a Yellow Eyed Penguin so I was very disappointed.
Melinda Pyke
Ranking: 10/10
The petrified forest was absolutely incredible. Didn't manage to spot the penguin, despite waiting patiently from 4pm-6pm, but that's nature for you!
Patrick
Ranking: 10/10
Saw a penguin and the fossil forest was awesome.
Martina
Ranking: 9/10
Stunning place, penguins did not show up, probably because we went there too soon.
Konstantin Bücheler
Ranking: 10/10
Best place to see penguins. You can go down to the beach next to the penguins.
Sandra
Ranking: 10/10
Spot the endangered yellow-eyed penguin! It is for free! Be there at 7pm.
Lindsay Dell
Ranking: 10/10
On a petrified forest beach, magical! A must see in the South Island - worth the drive.
Sue Strebe
Ranking: 9/10
Exceptionally near viewing of yellow eyed penguins, gorgeous site. Weather really bad, not much chance to see dolphins or hike in the area.
Samuel Tohko
Ranking: 10/10
Nice to see them in their natural habitat.
Regula Hammer
Ranking: 9/10
Nice camping nearby, 7pm to 10pm penguins come to land.
Anouck Roudet
Ranking: 10/10
Nice spot to see yellow-eyed penguins for free!! And you can be very close to the penguins, like 10 metres!!
Trine Ellegaard
Ranking: 10/10
Saw penguins - very nice!!
Hadar
Ranking: 9/10
We saw a lot of seals and penguins for free.
Sarah Strong
Ranking: 10/10
Went down approx 7-7.30pm. The ranger was fantastic and suggested a rock for us to sit on, penguins walked past us about 3 metres away!! Great couple of hours!!
Anne and Steve Bartlett
Ranking: 8/10
Saw Yellow Eyed Penguins. Had to be patient but saw 3 of them.
Ennico
Ranking: 10/10
So close, quiet.
Kellie
Ranking: 8/10
An amazing natural phenomenon next to crashing waves. The only downer is people getting near to the Yellow-eyed penquins and disturbing them on their way to their nests.
Daniel McAlpine
Ranking: 10/10
Great natural wonder.
Renate
Ranking: 10/10
We were very lucky watching a young one being fed.
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Tom Somers
Ranking: 8/10
Good information panels.
Stientje van den Heuvel
Ranking: 9/10
Interesting, nice to come that close to the trees and penguins.
Enna Keet
Ranking: 9/10
SO magnificent to see how these animals live in their own habitat. Lots to see for free in the Catlins! A volunteer answers all your questions!
Hanneke P
Ranking: 8/10
beautiful too see the penguins. However we had too wait very long to see about 5 penguins...
Frans Derks
Ranking: 10/10
Well constructed entrance to beach. Beautiful penguins.
Manuela and Thomas
Ranking: 8/10
We saw Yellow-Eyed Penguins.
Lucie
Ranking: 10/10
Best place to see Yellow Eyed Penguins - AMAZING!!!
Alan Brady
Ranking: 9/10
Great daytime viewing of Yellow Eyed Penguins while investigating petrified trees at Curio Bay.
Andreas Schacke
Ranking: 9/10
Beautiful setting, quite interesting watching the penguins coming ashore at dusk.
Fritschi
Ranking: 9/10
Have seen penguins very close to me.
Gabriele Wendt
Ranking: 10/10
Lots of lovely walks, cathedral cave ($5 only low tide!), Walks to waterfalls through rainforest, walk along Curio Bay, Petrified Forest, yellow eyed penguins.
John A Jerome
Ranking: 10/10
Excellent penguin territory.
Rebecca Doehl
Ranking: 9/10
Good view from the campground, unfortunately many people stay too close to them on the ground, frightening them, but still a great experience.
Dieter Mangold
Ranking: 9/10
Rain stopped for 30 minutes, very impressive, be there in the morning so no other people, saw penguins, everything peaceful and quiet.
Stefanie
Ranking: 7/10
A great place to get close to penguins - but you have to be patient.
Christine
Ranking: 10/10
There are two bays, we saw Hector dolphins in one and yellow eyed penguins and the petrified forest in the other - all in less than 24 hours!
Leroy Dimitri
Ranking: 10/10
Yellow eyed penguins.
Ian & Gill Johnson
Ranking: 9/10
Again a close encounter with a rare penguin.
Malcolm McLean
Ranking: 9/10
Thrilling to see rare penguins come ashore out of the sea at dusk and then to watch dolphins playing in the waves the following morning.
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Mel
Ranking: 10/10
Next to the petrified forest is a penguin colony. They come to land in the evening. Thanks to the DOC ranger Anne for keeping them safe and letting us watch!!
Oppenoorth
Ranking: 9/10
Nice place to spot penguins, dolphins and sealions.
Gary Koehler
Ranking: 10/10
Knowledgeable and dedicated.
Jacob
Ranking: 9/10
Great location and if you are lucky you will see some yellow-eyed penguins come ashore at the end of the day!
Nicolas
Ranking: 9/10
Wildlife around the beach.
Paul Smith
Ranking: 8/10
Unspoilt, regulated by DOC, brilliant experience.
Natthien Le Gall
Ranking: 9/10
So nice penguins, very crowded in!
Teum and Orselien
Ranking: 9/10
The people were very helpful in pointing out where the penguins were to see and when.
Andy Martin
Ranking: 10/10
Wander the bay just before dusk to see yellow eyed penguins returning to their nests - only eight pairs, but accessible and not phased by humans, as long as you don't block their approach to their nests.
Hartmut Vogt
Ranking: 10/10
Free. Observe penguins coming ashore around 5-6pm - Great
Yvonne German
Ranking: 10/10
Watching the penguins coming out of sea + walking over rocky beach to their nest + seals
Elizabeth E
Ranking: 7/10
Need patience - need to go at dusk. Can't get close - nature of the animal .
kay and colin
Ranking: 9/10
Observed the return of the 'Hoiho' Yellow Eyed Penguins on their return to their nests.
Lehmann
Ranking: 10/10
Very good to see the wildlife in the nature for the whole family.
Marsden
Ranking: 10/10
Fantastic to see animals and birds in their natural habitat.
J Kempeneers
Ranking: 8/10
Beautiful spot to see the penguins come ashore to feed their young. Also seals. Watch the signs where to go!
John Mathers
Ranking: 6/10
Watching yellow eyed penguins in the company of two knowledgable wardons sure beats paying at Oamaru.
Andrea and Craig Swinson
Ranking: 10/10
Why pay to see penguins when you can come here for free to see yellow-eyed penguins up close?
koellner
Ranking: 9/10
Gorgeous little fellas. If you are lucky you will see 2 - 6 coming ashore between pre dusk and sunset. Worth going but dress warm and bring patience.