Penguin · Australia
Where to see penguins in Australia
About this list
A common trap when looking for places to see penguins in Australia is a trip sold as if the sighting were certain. Maptlantis lists only operators that name the penguin as a target species, 4 of them. Places that only mention a chance sighting are left out. Regions on record: NSW, Central Coast, Vic, Mornington Peninsula, Mandurah & Bunbury, Western Australia and Rockingham & Shoalwater, Western Australia. Encounters are split into boat-based watching, kayak wildlife watching, swimming, land-based watching and snorkeling. Two "penguin tours" can differ completely in rules and price when one watches from the boat and the other puts you in the water. 2 of the 4 operators (50%) publish prices on their own channels, so you can compare those directly; ask the rest. Estimated prices are not shown. The 3 operators that state a season for penguin programs in Australia cluster in Sep–Jun. That is the operators' operating period, not a promise that the animals will appear. No operator can guarantee a wildlife sighting, and rules on approach distance and in-water permits differ by country.
Penguin season in Australia
Sep–Jun
- JanJanuary: in season
- FebFebruary: in season
- MarMarch: in season
- AprApril: in season
- MayMay: in season
- JunJune: in season
- JulJuly: not in season
- AugAugust: not in season
- SepSeptember: in season
- OctOctober: in season
- NovNovember: in season
- DecDecember: in season
The months 3 operators state as their program season, combined. That is the operators' operating period, not a sighting guarantee; each operator's months are in the penguin season table.
4 listed operators
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Australia · NSW, Central Coast
Terrigal Ocean Tours
Island hopping & boat tripsMarine life encounters- Season
- May–Nov
- Price
- Price on request
- Checked
- Official source
Australia · Vic, Mornington Peninsula
Bayplay Adventure Tours
SnorkelingKayak & paddleFamily & kids- Season
- Year-round
- Price
- Price on request
- Checked
- Official source
Australia · Mandurah & Bunbury, Western Australia
Dolphin Discovery Centre
SwimmingFamily & kidsMarine life encounters- Season
- Nov–Apr
- Price
- A$220
- Checked
- Official source
Australia · Rockingham & Shoalwater, Western Australia
Perth Wildlife Encounters
SnorkelingSwimmingFamily & kids- Season
- Sep–Jun
- Price
- AUD 399 / person
- Checked
- Official source
Penguin season
Penguins in other countries
Other marine life in Australia
Activities in Australia
- Family water activities in Australia265
- Island hopping and boat trips in Australia202
- Snorkeling in Australia178
- Scuba diving in Australia120
- Swimming in Australia117
- Beaches and water play in Australia110
- Marine life encounters in Australia99
- Surfing and SUP in Australia63
- Kayaking and paddling in Australia54
- Liveaboards in Australia27
Frequently asked questions
Where can you see penguins in Australia?
4 operators name the penguin as a target species. Main regions: NSW, Central Coast, Vic, Mornington Peninsula, Mandurah & Bunbury, Western Australia and Rockingham & Shoalwater, Western Australia.
Do you have to get in the water to see penguins?
Formats on record: boat-based watching, kayak wildlife watching, swimming, land-based watching and snorkeling. Boat-based watching stays on the boat; snorkeling, swimming and freediving put you in the water. Some countries ban getting in the water altogether, so check the format in the program details.
When is penguin season?
The 3 operators that state a season for penguin programs in Australia cluster in Sep–Jun. That is the operators' operating period, not a promise that the animals will appear.
Will I definitely see them?
No. Penguins are wild animals, and whether you meet them depends on their movements and the sea. Maptlantis does not use wording that promises a sighting, and cancellation and refund terms follow each operator's policy.