Otago Peninsula: Small Group Wildlife Tour & Private Beach

Summary

Walk Cape Saunders farm trails and watch rare penguins and sea lions in wild Otago

You’ll join a small group to explore Cape Saunders farm on Otago Peninsula—tramping past sheep and wild coastline with a local guide who knows every bird call by heart. Watch fur seals laze on rocks, search for yellow-eyed penguins from hidden hides, and feel salt spray on your face at a private beach. It’s not tidy or predictable—just raw nature and real moments you’ll remember later.

What’s the experience like?

“You’ll probably smell the seals before you see them,” is what our guide, Tom, grinned as we bumped along the last bit of gravel towards Cape Saunders. He was right — that sharp, salty tang hit first, then the low grumbles from somewhere below the cliffs. Our little group (just eight of us) shuffled out into the wind, jackets zipped up tight. I kept thinking this part of Dunedin felt more Scottish than New Zealand — all moody sky and sheep dotted hills. Tom pointed out a pair of albatross gliding overhead, their wings almost impossibly long. I tried to get a photo but mostly just stared.

The walk down to the private beach was steeper than I expected — sand shifting under my boots, wind tugging at my hat. There were fur seals sprawled everywhere like someone had dropped a bag of wet rocks across the shore. We stood quietly at one of the hides while Tom whispered about how rare yellow-eyed penguins are here on the Otago Peninsula. When one finally appeared, shuffling awkwardly from behind a rock, someone behind me gasped (might’ve been me). The whole place felt like it belonged to them more than us.

I didn’t expect to laugh so much on a wildlife tour but there was this moment when a sea lion barked and startled one of the other guests into dropping their binoculars — Tom just winked and handed over another pair (they have spares). The weather changed every ten minutes: sun for a second, then mist rolling in off the Pacific. My hands were cold but I didn’t care; watching those birds wheel over the waves made everything else kind of quiet inside. On the way back through the farm, sheep watched us with that blank look only sheep have. Someone asked if we could stay longer and Tom just shrugged: “The animals don’t run by our schedule.”

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Wildlife tour at Otago Peninsula

• Travel through Otago Peninsula backcountry
• See wetland and wading birds
• Arrive at Cape Saunders farm
• View NZ fur seals and sea birds
• Visit native conservation reserve
• Explore breeding grounds for penguins and sea lions
• Observe wildlife from viewing hides
• Walk along natural beach
• Return to pick up location

Top questions

How many people are in each Clearwater Wildlife Tour group?

The tours run with no more than 10 people per group.

What wildlife can I see on this Otago Peninsula tour?

You may spot yellow-eyed penguins, New Zealand sea lions, fur seals, albatross and various seabirds.

Is pickup included for this small group wildlife tour?

Yes, pickup is included from designated locations in Dunedin.

How long does the Clearwater Wildlife Tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 4 hours.

Are there toilet facilities during the tour?

Yes, toilets are available at both the farm and meeting point in Dunedin’s Octagon.

Is food provided on this wildlife tour?

No meals are provided but complimentary water and cookies are available onboard; guests can bring their own snacks.

What level of fitness do I need for this Otago Peninsula wildlife walk?

A moderate level of fitness is required due to hills and uneven ground including sand and stairs.

Are children allowed on this tour?

Small children may struggle with the terrain; children cannot sit on an adult’s lap for safety reasons.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup in Dunedin by air-conditioned vehicle, use of high-quality binoculars for spotting wildlife along Cape Saunders’ private beaches and reserves, complimentary wind- and rainproof jackets if needed (trust me—you might), plus water and cookies onboard before returning to your starting point after four hours outside.