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Watch penguins return to their nesting grounds.
At Curio Bay, watch Yellow Eyed Penguins return to their nesting grounds in a stunning coastal setting.
These are very rare birds so please respect and keep your distance.
Watching a penguin waddle home is a true life memory - Enjoy!
Feature | Value | Info |
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Location |
South Island ▷ Southland ▷ Waikawa |
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Payment Requirement |
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Payment RequirementIs there a cost for this experience or is it free? Free access/participation The experience costs no money to access or take part in. |
Nice to see them in their natural habitat.
The petrified forest was absolutely incredible.
Best place to see penguins.
On a petrified forest beach, magical!
Saw a penguin and the fossil forest was awesome.
Rating | Count | Percentage | |
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10/10 | 30 |
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46% |
9/10 | 23 |
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35% |
8/10 | 8 |
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12% |
7/10 | 2 |
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3% |
6/10 | 1 |
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2% |
5/10 | 0 |
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0% |
4/10 | 1 |
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2% |
3/10 | 0 |
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0% |
2/10 | 0 |
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0% |
1/10 | 0 |
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0% |
5.0/5
November 2022.
We started watching at 17:30, one pinguin arrived around 19:30. Was great to see it hopping and walking!
Reviewed about 2 years ago
2.0/5
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.
Reviewed about 4 years ago
5.0/5
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!
Reviewed about 6 years ago
5.0/5
Saw a penguin and the fossil forest was awesome.
Reviewed almost 8 years ago and experienced in November 2016
4.5/5
Stunning place, penguins did not show up, probably because we went there too soon.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in January 2016
5.0/5
Spot the endangered yellow-eyed penguin!
It is for free! Be there at 7pm.
Reviewed over 8 years ago
5.0/5
On a petrified forest beach, magical!
A must see in the South Island - worth the drive.
Reviewed over 8 years ago
5.0/5
Best place to see penguins.
You can go down to the beach next to the penguins.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in December 2015
4.5/5
Exceptionally near viewing of yellow eyed penguins, gorgeous site.
Weather really bad, not much chance to see dolphins or hike in the area.
Reviewed almost 9 years ago and experienced in February 2015
4.5/5
Nice camping nearby, 7pm to 10pm penguins come to land.
Reviewed over 9 years ago
5.0/5
Nice to see them in their natural habitat.
Reviewed over 9 years ago and experienced in December 2014
5.0/5
Nice spot to see yellow-eyed penguins for free!!
And you can be very close to the penguins, like 10 metres!!
Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in February 2014
5.0/5
November 2022.
We started watching at 17:30, one pinguin arrived around 19:30. Was great to see it hopping and walking!
Reviewed about 2 years ago
2.0/5
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.
Reviewed about 4 years ago
5.0/5
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!
Reviewed about 6 years ago
5.0/5
Saw a penguin and the fossil forest was awesome.
Reviewed almost 8 years ago and experienced in November 2016
4.5/5
Stunning place, penguins did not show up, probably because we went there too soon.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in January 2016
5.0/5
Best place to see penguins.
You can go down to the beach next to the penguins.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in December 2015
5.0/5
Spot the endangered yellow-eyed penguin!
It is for free! Be there at 7pm.
Reviewed over 8 years ago
5.0/5
On a petrified forest beach, magical!
A must see in the South Island - worth the drive.
Reviewed over 8 years ago
4.5/5
Exceptionally near viewing of yellow eyed penguins, gorgeous site.
Weather really bad, not much chance to see dolphins or hike in the area.
Reviewed almost 9 years ago and experienced in February 2015
5.0/5
Nice to see them in their natural habitat.
Reviewed over 9 years ago and experienced in December 2014
4.5/5
Nice camping nearby, 7pm to 10pm penguins come to land.
Reviewed over 9 years ago
5.0/5
Nice spot to see yellow-eyed penguins for free!!
And you can be very close to the penguins, like 10 metres!!
Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in February 2014
5.0/5
Saw penguins - very nice!!
Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in March 2013
4.5/5
We saw a lot of seals and penguins for free.
Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in February 2014
5.0/5
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!!
Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in January 2014
4.0/5
Saw Yellow Eyed Penguins.
Had to be patient but saw 3 of them.
Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in January 2014
4.0/5
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.
Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in December 2013
5.0/5
Great natural wonder.
Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in December 2013
5.0/5
We were very lucky watching a young one being fed.
Reviewed about 11 years ago and experienced in February 2013
4.5/5
Interesting, nice to come that close to the trees and penguins.
Reviewed over 11 years ago and experienced in March 2013
4.5/5
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!
Reviewed over 11 years ago
4.0/5
beautiful too see the penguins.
However we had too wait very long to see about 5 penguins...
Reviewed over 11 years ago
5.0/5
Well constructed entrance to beach.
Beautiful penguins.
Reviewed almost 12 years ago and experienced in December 2012
4.5/5
Great daytime viewing of Yellow Eyed Penguins while investigating petrified trees at Curio Bay.
Reviewed about 12 years ago and experienced in March 2012
4.5/5
Beautiful setting, quite interesting watching the penguins coming ashore at dusk.
Reviewed about 12 years ago and experienced in March 2012
4.5/5
Have seen penguins very close to me.
Reviewed over 12 years ago and experienced in February 2012