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Penguin tour packages often vary according to the location. It is this that defines the type of tour that visitors can enjoy. The penguin tour option offered at the beautiful location of the Pohatu is the ideal tour for those looking for a 4WD type tour. The small costal bay which is home to the Pohatu Marine Reserve sits between the volcanic headlands on Banks Peninsula. When looking for a tour of the largest colony of penguins in mainland New Zealand, this is where you will find them.

This is a conservation area and home to both the white flipped penguin as well as the yellow-eyed penguin which calls these shores home. Like all penguin tours, dusk or evenings are when tours are operated. This then means that visitors need to ensure that they bring their own warm clothing and comfortable shoes. It is very important to also ensure that the comfortable shoes have good sole grip so as to prevent any slipping during wet muddy conditions. Due to the lateness of this activity visitors are also advised to bring some of their own warm drinks.

Pohatu penguin tours are guided tours as this ensures that the conservation work being accrued out by the tour operators is being considered. To get the best of the tour visitors are advised to come around the breeding season which often happens around the end of August to January.

The scenic nature of the tour has made it possible for the creation of two night tour options. Naturally this is a 4WD type tour and visitors can enjoy the rough terrain that is on offer. This adds to the adventure as the natural environment can be enjoyed.

The first option for many visitors going on the Pohatu penguin tour is that they can opt for getting picked up and going on the 4WD tour. This is not limiting because you can still enjoy being able to take pictures as these photo opportunities are available during the tour. That is why this tour is also longer than the 1hr that is common to most of the other tours.

Visitors on this tour get picked-up at Akarou and then enjoy the drive to Pohatu. Once the destination is reached the guides can lead people through the penguin colony to truly embrace the experience.

Alternatively visitors can use their own 4WD vehicles to enjoy this tour. However, in order to make use of this option pre-booking is essential.