4.7 / 5Otago Wildlife Cruise, Penguin Reserve & Dunedin Highlights
Otago Wildlife Cruise
March 24, 2018
After slight confusion as to the start time of our excursion, the Otago Wildlife Cruise was very enjoyable. We are a small group, I0 people on the boat, which was ideal. We saw some seals on the rocks on our way out and the highlight was watching the Albatross in flight and landing near us. At one point we have several different varieties that our guide pointed out. We had been pre-warned that the chances of seeing any yellow-eyed penguins would be slight and they were right. The penguins we did see were at the hospital area and behind fences. A short hike was involved to see a few more seals and a beautiful beach. We also were able to see a few blue penguins in their shelters along the hillside of our walk.
Reviewer: Mary Swanson
Penquin reserve & cruise
May 05, 2017
The cruise was great we saw a lot of birds and seals but no whales. The Yellow eyed penguin reserve was very interesting and the way it was set up made viewing excellent. very enjoyable tour with great guides.
Reviewer: Donna
Great way to spend the day on shore
April 09, 2016
I liked the overall itinerary and variety of activities. The boat captain was not only knowledgeable but genuinely excited to point out what wildlife he could see. The small group allowed everyone to have their own binoculars. The penguin reserve was unique to see them in the wild and up close in the hospital. The drive back to the city center along the coast was pretty with just the right amount of commentary.
Reviewer: Karen D.
Very enjoyable and we saw every thing we wanted to
March 04, 2016
We had a great time, we saw everything from the small boat. Our friends took a bus tour and missed the best parts.
Reviewer: Kay
Awesome Eco Tour
February 29, 2016
Our group of four adults enjoyed the Otago Wildlife Cruise & Penguin Reserve very much. The cruise portion was on board a small craft with a knowledgeable naturalist who was both informative and great at spotting the wildlife. Unfortunately the penguin colony had been decimated the previous winter so there was only a lone penguin chick for us to see, but he did perform by walking around for us to view him, as well as those others we got to see at the penguin hospital. As for the Dunedin portion of the drive all we did was drive through the city on our way back to the cruise ship. We did have a choice of being dropped off in Dunedin but our cruise ship charged for the return shuttle so we chose not to get off. All in all I would recommend this tour as the eco portion of the tour was very enjoyable. One other note here another couple traveling with us had to cancel going on this tour due to a medical emergency and we were all impressed with Shore Excursions Group for giving them a full refund without question. We will definitely use Shore Excursions Group again.
Reviewer: Travel Bug
Great experience
January 18, 2016
Great experience
Reviewer: Outdoors
A Must
December 05, 2015
A really good series of activities. The host and guides were brilliant - thoroughly recommend
Reviewer: Dizzy
Great Penguin Reserve-Mediocre City Tour
March 24, 2014
The penguin reserve guides were phenomenal and very passionate about their cause! It was a life-time experience to be able to get a close up view in their natural habitat. The money the reserve receives for the visits goes to support the reserve. The guide on the city tour kept holding up the entire group and wasted our valuable time by continuously waiting for the same couple every time we made a stop. In addition, the guides should know when an attraction is closed. We stopped to go into the church, which was closed for a wedding. We wasted time sitting around waiting and then returning later. The garden that we visited had mostly dead flowers. Tours should adapt to closures or seasonal problems.
Reviewer: Traveling Fool