The World’s 15 Best Birdwatching Tours

Penguin Parade, & Wildlife Encounters Eco Tour from Melbourne

1.Penguin Parade, & Wildlife Encounters Eco Tour from Melbourne

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3,774 reviews · from $118Our pick

Spend about 12 hours with Go West Tours visiting Brighton’s bathing boxes, Moonlit Sanctuary, the Nobbies, and Phillip Island’s Penguin Parade. Guides such as Cloe, Jools, Aleks, and Graeme are praised for lively commentary. Expect a small-group minivan, late return, cold evening weather, and no photography at the penguin viewing area.

“Beautiful tour! Ashleigh was so personable, knowledgeable, and explained each experience along the way. She educated the busload of folks about the area, the animals, and conveyed the true spirit of a tour guide. Bring an extra blanket for the penguin parade as it gets cold by that time of the day. Would definitely recommend for any travelers. It was a long day but well worth it.”

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Cape Town: Cape of Good Hope & Penguins Day Tour with Pickup

2.Cape of Good Hope & Penguins Day Tour with Pickup

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 3,362 reviews · 10 hours · from $52

Spend a full day exploring Cape Town’s coast in a small group, with hotel pickup, a modern Sprinter, and an English-speaking guide. You’ll stop at Maiden’s Cove, Hout Bay, Chapman’s Peak, Cape Point, Boulders Beach, Simon’s Town, Muizenberg, and Bo-Kaap. Guides such as Sylvie, Gordon, Talent, and Isaac are praised for clear stories and careful timing.

“Our guide Nathan was very knowledgeable, thank you for him for a incredible journey.”

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Cape Point and Boulder’s Penguins Full Day Tour

3.Cape Point and Boulder’s Penguins Full Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3,118 reviews · from $34

Travel from Cape Town by air-conditioned coach to Boulders Beach and Cape Point. You’ll see African penguins, ostrich, zebra, baboons, antelope, and perhaps seals or whales, with time for the lighthouse, Cape of Good Hope, and an optional hike. Guides such as Paul, Horea, Mark, and Brahm are known for lively local commentary.

“They packed a lot into one day! It was a larger bus tour than I’m used to? But for the price and the amount of sites we got to see, it was definitely a great value and well worth my time. Our guide was very knowledgeable and kind and accommodating to everyone with different mobility abilities. I was grateful to have a chunk of time at each location to explore on my own. Would happily do again”

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Cape of Good Hope & Boulder Penguins Full-Day Tour from Cape Town

4.Cape of Good Hope & Boulder Penguins Full-Day Tour from Cape Town

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,347 reviews · from $48

Spend about nine hours touring the Cape Peninsula in an air-conditioned minivan with Cape Town hotel pickup. Visit Bo-Kaap, Camps Bay, Hout Bay, Chapman’s Peak, Cape Point, Simon’s Town, and Boulders Beach. Guides such as Rodney, Candy, Candice, Mabee, and Nana add history, humor, and practical help. Optional seal cruise and funicular cost extra.

“A well organized Tour with an outstanding tour guide. A safe driver and very well in explaining what we will visit. The car has been exzellent. Very clean and convenience.”

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From Melbourne: Penguin Parade, Koalas & Kangaroos

5.Penguin Parade, Koalas & Kangaroos

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,932 reviews · 12 hours · from $112

Spend 12 hours with an English-speaking guide such as Dirk, Matt, Charlie or Simon, visiting Brighton’s beach boxes, Moonlit Sanctuary, the Nobbies and Phillip Island’s Penguin Parade. You’ll have time for wildlife, coastal walks, lunch and dinner, but bring warm layers and expect a compact bus with limited legroom.

“It was a very nice experience, the penguin parade was amazing. The guide was great too.”

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Table Mountain, Penguins & Cape Point Small Group Tour Cape Town

6.Table Mountain, Penguins & Cape Point Small Group Tour Cape Town

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,797 reviews · from $62

This 10-hour small-group tour links Cape Town’s biggest sights, from Bo-Kaap and Table Mountain to Boulders Beach, Cape Point, and St James Beach. Your guide handles the driving and timing for up to 15 people, while you pay extra for cable-car, reserve, penguin, and funicular tickets. Guides may include Talent, Sylvie, Jimmy, or Seifu.

“This is an excellent tour! Wilson was very caring and knowledgeable of the area. We were able to enjoy and see all of the places.”

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Cape Town Tour: Table Mountain, Penguins & Cape Point+Pickup

7.Cape Town Tour: Table Mountain, Penguins & Cape Point+Pickup

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,671 reviews · 10 hours · from $65

Spend 10 hours seeing Cape Town’s biggest sights in a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter or Toyota Quantum GL, with hotel pickup and a group of up to 15. Your English-speaking guide leads you through Bo-Kaap, Table Mountain, Chapman’s Peak, Cape Point, Boulders Beach, Simon’s Town, and Muizenberg. Guides such as Sylvie, Gordon, Sedick, and Noma are known for warm humor and strong local insight.

“Very good. Covered most of the nice places we wanted to visit. The tour guide Nathan was also very helpful, friendly, and knowledgeable Enjoyed it and totally recommend”

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From Melbourne: Phillip Island Penguin Parade & Koalas Tour

8.Phillip Island Penguin Parade & Koalas Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,408 reviews · 9h 30m · from $123

Spend about nine and a half hours with an English-speaking guide such as Fiona, Peter, or Graham, visiting the Koala Conservation Reserve, The Nobbies, Cowes, and the Penguin Parade. You will travel by air-conditioned coach, walk less than 1 km, and finish with little penguins returning from the sea. Bring warm layers and consider Penguin Plus for closer views.

“Peter the driver was very informative and great fun . He made sure we were comfortable all day . He is an asset to the company . It would have been nice to have more time with the penguins as it felt a little rushed but in the other hand it was very cold by sunset time . We had the best day and we would definitely recommend this trip to friends . An ideal way to see some coastline in Melbourne when only staying a few days”

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Húsavík: Original Big Whale Safari & Puffins by Speedboat

9.Original Big Whale Safari & Puffins by Speedboat

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,221 reviews · 2 hours · from $175

From central Húsavík, you suit up in a warm safety overall and board a 12-seat RIB with a guide such as Matteo, Clara, or Jo. The boat reaches whale sightings quickly, visits Puffin Island from mid-April to mid-August, and covers Skjálfandi Bay in two hours.

“Amazing tour! Much recommended! We saw whales and got the best time with Jo and the lovely captain which unfortunately I don’t remember his name but he was the best- making the most of the tour by changing direction and spot according to the whales, thank you we really enjoyed it!”

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From Melbourne: Phillip Island Penguin Parade Eco Tour

10.Phillip Island Penguin Parade Eco Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,211 reviews · 12 hours · from $109

Travel from Melbourne to Moonlit Sanctuary, The Nobbies, and Phillip Island’s Penguin Parade in an air-conditioned vehicle. Your English-speaking guide, such as Jools, Chris, or Graeme, handles the day while you meet koalas and kangaroos, enjoy coastal views, and watch little penguins return home at sunset. Standard parade viewing, Wi-Fi, and sanctuary entry are included.

“loved it from start to finish 👏 penguins are the cutest thing ever so worth seeing”

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From Melbourne: Puffing Billy and Penguin Parade Combo Tour

11.Puffing Billy and Penguin Parade Combo Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,184 reviews · 12 hours · from $165

Spend 12 hours combining two Victorian favorites: a Puffing Billy steam-train ride through the Dandenong Ranges and the Phillip Island Penguin Parade. Your English-speaking guide, often a guide such as Lorraine, Matt, Terry, or Nathan, handles transport, timing, and local commentary. Bring warm clothes for the cool evening by the sea.

“This trip was amazing! Lorraine was very knowledgeable on the history of Melbourne and the penguins on Phillip Island. She made it an excellent tour.”

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Penguin Parade: General Viewing Ticket

12.Penguin Parade: General Viewing Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 1,069 reviews · 2 hours · from $22Cheapest here

Arrive before sunset at Phillip Island Nature Parks, explore the visitor centre, and watch little penguins cross Summerlands Beach from tiered general seating. Afterward, walk the boardwalks to see them close to their burrows. Bring warm clothes, expect outdoor waiting, and keep cameras and phones away to protect the birds.

“Good night for it. Water well back, penguins easier to see but lack of numbers early. Safety for the little birds was very obvious as they were very cautious.”

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Cape Town: Table Mountain, Cape Point, & Penguins Group Tour

13.Table Mountain, Cape Point, & Penguins Group Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,063 reviews · from $62

Spend about 10 hours touring Cape Town’s biggest sights by air-conditioned bus, with guides such as Nuria, Armando, Gabriel, and Albert sharing local history, geography, and humor. You’ll visit Table Mountain, Chapman’s Peak, Cape Point, Boulders Beach, Muizenberg, Bo-Kaap, and an ostrich farm. Several entrance fees and lunch cost extra.

“the guide, Nuria, was excellent and made the day brilliant. the cable car was closed in the morning but all was changed about and we still got to go later.”

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Cape of Good Hope & Penguins Small Group Tour from Cape Town

14.Cape of Good Hope & Penguins Small Group Tour from Cape Town

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,054 reviews · from $44

Spend 8 to 9 hours touring the Cape Peninsula in a minibus of up to 15 people. Visit Bo-Kaap, Camps Bay, Hout Bay, Chapman’s Peak, Boulders Beach, Cape Point, and St James Beach. Guides such as James, Gordon, Lueya, Talent, and Sylvie are praised for engaging commentary, but entrance fees and lunch cost extra.

“Excellent experience. Highly recommended. We greatly enjoyed it. Good value for the tour. The tour guide was very nice, friendly and knowledgeable.”

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Reykjavik: Puffin Watching Boat Tour

15.Puffin Watching Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,052 reviews · 1 hour · from $64

From Reykjavik’s Old Harbour, you’ll cruise aboard the wooden Puffin Express, also called Old Skuli, toward Lundey and Akurey. Expect close views of puffins, fulmars, gulls, Arctic terns, and black guillemots, with binoculars on board and an English-speaking guide such as Patrick or Joe.