Curio Bay Penguin Watch

Curio Bay Penguin Watch

65 Rankers Reviews

60 Face-to-Face

3 Penguin Watching

1 Waikawa

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Photos

Penguin - Curio Bay
Behold, the penguin has arrived!
Yellow eyed penguins waddling through the petrified forest

Information

Curio Bay Penguin Watch

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!

Details

Feature Value Info

Location

South IslandSouthlandWaikawa

Categories

  • Activity__penguin_watchingPenguin Watching
  • Free

Directions

To Coordinates

Coordinates

-46.6612187525998

169.102592468262

Latitude
-46.6612187525998
Longitude
169.102592468262

Nearby

Reviews

    • Best place to see penguins.
    • Nice to see them in their natural habitat.
    • Nice spot to see yellow-eyed penguins for free!!
    • November 2022.
    • We saw a lot of seals and penguins for free.
    Rating Count Percentage
    10/10 30
    46%
    9/10 23
    35%
    8/10 8
    12%
    7/10 2
    3%
    6/10 1
    2%
    5/10 0
    0%
    4/10 1
    2%
    3/10 0
    0%
    2/10 0
    0%
    1/10 0
    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 almost 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 over 7 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 almost 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 over 7 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

  • 5.0/5

    So close, quiet.

    Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in February 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

  • 4.0/5

    Good information panels.

    Reviewed over 11 years ago and experienced in March 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 over 11 years ago and experienced in December 2012

  • 4.0/5

    We saw Yellow-Eyed Penguins.

    Reviewed almost 12 years ago

  • 5.0/5

    Best place to see Yellow Eyed Penguins - AMAZING!!!

    Reviewed almost 12 years ago

  • 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