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5 Places To See Wild Penguins (That Aren’t Antarctica)

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Published
06/19/2024

Want to see penguins in the wild? Antarctica is where you’ll find the most penguins, but it’s not the most accessible travel destination. Fortunately, Antarctica isn’t the only place in the world where penguins live. Below are just 5 alternative locations that are also home to penguins. 

New Zealand

New Zealand is home to three species of penguin: the Little Blue Penguin, the Yellow Eyed Penguin and the Fiordland Crested Penguin. South Island is home to the biggest population, however North Island also has several colonies. This post details some of the best places to see penguins in New Zealand. Beyond penguins, New Zealand has an array of other attractions including waterfalls, mountains, geysers, volcanoes, beaches, Maori culture and the Lord of the Rings film locations. It’s pretty far away from everywhere else in the world, but it’s worth the long-haul flight. 

Tasmania

Tasmania is known for its unusual range of animal species including the Tasmanian devil and pademelon. It’s also home to thousands of penguins (known as ‘little (fairy) penguins’). There are quite a few different places around the coast to see penguins including Stanley, Davenport and Burnie. You can take tours, or you explore these places yourself. While in Tasmania, make sure to check out some of the other activities beyond penguin-watching. This could include climbing Mount Wellington or learning to surf in Bingalong Bay. 

The Galapagos Islands

The Galapagos Islands off the coast of Ecuador are the most northerly location where you’ll find wild penguins. Here you’ll find a unique species of penguin known as the Galapagos penguin. It is one of many endemic species on the Galapagos Islands - others being flightless cormorants, Galapagos giant tortoises and marine iguanas. There are a few different ways in which you can do a Galapagos Islands trip. Many people opt for a cruise that can take you around the entire archipelago. Alternatively, you can try a land tour and even stay on one of the islands in a hotel. 

The Falkland Islands

Around one million penguins nest on the Falkland Islands every summer. This includes five different species. As you can imagine, this makes the Falkland Islands somewhat of a hotspot for penguin lovers. Other wildlife to look out for includes dolphins and elephant seals. There are several hotels and guesthouses across the Falklands where you can stay while exploring these islands. Activities to enjoy aside from penguin-spotting include kayaking the coast, exploring shipwrecks and visiting the museums in the capital. 

South Africa

African penguins are an endangered species, but yes - they exist. They can be found living in seven colonies along Africa’s southern-western coastline. Boulder’s Beach in Cape Town is one of the most popular viewing points, featuring a boardwalk where you can get very close to them. This is where most tourists go to see penguins. It should go without saying, but there are so many other things to do in South Africa. Cape Town alone has attractions such as Table Mountain, Lion’s Head and Bo-Kaap.

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