Pohatu Penguins, 2 Or 4 Hours

Pohatu Penguins Scenic Nature Tour With A Working Sheep Farm

★ 4.8 136 reviews

from USD 58 per person

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Duration: 2 or 4 hours
Meeting point: Rue Balguerie, Akaroa
Cancellation: Free cancellation
Meals: Tea, coffee and a muffin or cake on the 4-hour tour only
Run by: Pohatu Penguins and Sea Kayaking

Overview

This is a 4WD eco-tour that leaves from central Akaroa and climbs over the crater rim of the old Akaroa volcano before dropping down to Pohatu, also called Flea Bay, on the outer coast. The guide drives a minivan along the way and talks through the local history, flora and fauna, with photo stops looking back over Akaroa Harbour and out to the Pacific. The destination is a working sheep farm that is also home to the largest colony of little penguins found on the New Zealand mainland, and part of what you pay goes directly into the conservation work there.

On arrival you meet the farm's pet sheep and can hand-feed them. In season the guide takes you around penguin nesting sites, and at certain times of year some of the rehabilitation work, such as supplemental feeding, is visible. Note the operator's own framing: this is a nature and history tour first, not a penguin-watching spectacle, and the birds and other wildlife appear in season rather than on demand.

You pick between a 2-hour and a 4-hour version at booking. The longer option adds the cliff-tops of Akaroa Heads Lighthouse Reserve, more time exploring Flea Bay, and tea, coffee with homemade muffins or cakes. It suits travellers who want landscape, farming life and conservation in one outing.

FromUSD 58 per person

Duration2 or 4 hours

Rating4.8 from 136 reviews

This tour against the other Akaroa farm tours, length in hours

What's Included

Included

Scenic transport by 4WD minivan
Photo stops
Experienced guide
Live commentary
Tea, coffee, and muffin or cake on the 4-hour tour

Run byPohatu Penguins and Sea Kayaking

Itinerary

Meet in AkaroaThe tour starts at 8 Rue Balguerie, Akaroa. There is no hotel pickup, so travellers make their own way to the meeting point.
Drive over the crater rimThe 4WD minivan climbs over the rim of the extinct Akaroa volcano, with a stop at a lookout around 700 meters high for photos over the harbour and the Pacific.
Arrive at Pohatu Flea BayThe drive ends at a working sheep farm on the coast, inside the Wild Side Conservation area.
Meet the sheepYou can hand-feed the friendly pet sheep on the farm.
Check penguin nesting sitesIn season, the guide takes you to monitor nesting boxes and explains the conservation program protecting the little penguin colony.
Optional 4-hour extensionOnly on the 4-hour tour: a visit to the cliff-tops of Akaroa Heads Lighthouse Reserve, more time at Flea Bay, and tea, coffee with muffin or cake. Most penguin rehabilitation viewing is reserved for the 4-hour group to avoid crowding the birds.

GuideIncluded

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points help you pick the right option and arrive prepared.

Choose your length. The listing describes the 4-hour tour as an extended version. It adds Akaroa Heads Lighthouse Reserve, refreshments and more time at Flea Bay, and it is the only option that includes viewing of the rehabilitation work, which mostly happens from mid-November to mid-February.
Getting there. Meet at 8 Rue Balguerie in Akaroa. Pickup is not included, so plan your own transport into town and arrive with time to spare.
What to wear. The listing asks for comfortable shoes, plus a camera and water. Since photo stops and time at the farm are part of the day, shoes you are happy standing and walking in are the practical choice.
No flash photos. Flash photography is not allowed, which matters especially around the penguins. Turn flash off before the nesting site visit if you plan to take pictures.
Wildlife is seasonal. Penguins, seals and other native wildlife appear in season, and the operator is clear that the tour focuses on the area's history and nature rather than guaranteed penguin sightings. Reviewers have reported seeing penguins in boxes, fur seals and even an eel, but timing shapes what you get.

USD 58from, per person

2 or 4 hoursduration

4.8across 136 guest reviews

Guides and group feel. Reviewers repeatedly praise the guides as knowledgeable and easy to understand, even for non-native English speakers. Expect live commentary throughout the drive, and a chance to feed the sheep and, in season, monitor nesting sites with the guide.

FromUSD 58 per person

Rating4.8 from 136 reviews

AvailabilityCheck availability →

Common issues. The main limitation is seasonality: penguins and other wildlife are seen in season only, and the rehabilitation viewing happens mostly from mid-November to mid-February, restricted to the 4-hour tour. There is no hotel pickup, so you must get yourself to the meeting point in Akaroa. Cancellations within 24 hours of the tour are not refunded unless the operator cancels. Smoking and flash photography are prohibited. Anyone hoping for a dedicated penguin-watching trip should note the operator's own description of this as a history and nature tour first.

Common Questions

What Is Included In The Price?

Transport by 4WD minivan, photo stops, an experienced guide and live commentary are all included. On the 4-hour tour, tea or coffee with a muffin or cake is also included. The listing does not list any excluded extras.

Where Does The Tour Meet?

At 8 Rue Balguerie, Akaroa 7520, New Zealand. Hotel pickup is not included, so you need to make your own way to that address.

Will I Definitely See Penguins?

Not necessarily. The operator states this is a nature tour centred on the area's history, and penguins and other wildlife are seen in season. Nesting boxes are monitored in season, and much of the rehabilitation work runs from mid-November to mid-February, with viewing of it limited to the 4-hour tour.

What Is The Difference Between The 2-Hour And 4-Hour Tour?

Both include the 4WD drive over the crater rim, the farm visit with sheep feeding and, in season, the penguin nesting sites. The 4-hour version adds Akaroa Heads Lighthouse Reserve, more time at Flea Bay, refreshments, and access to the rehabilitation viewing.

What Should I Bring?

Comfortable shoes, a camera and water, according to the listing. Remember that flash photography is not allowed, and smoking is prohibited on the tour.

What Is The Cancellation Policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Inside 24 hours there is no refund unless the local partner cancels the tour itself.