Single Kayak • Double/Family kayak • Kids kayak
Launch from the Penneshaw Penguin Centre and spend six hours paddling Penneshaw Beach and the channels of Backstairs Passage. This hire is perfect for confident paddlers who want up-close wildlife viewing and flexible, affordable sea time.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
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Difficulty
moderate
Duration
6 hours
Fitness Level
Moderate — you should be comfortable paddling for periods and able to self-rescue in calm to moderate conditions.
Wildlife
History
Penneshaw has long been a maritime gateway to Kangaroo Island; the Penguin Centre pairs recreational access with local conservation efforts.
Conservation
Keep distance from wildlife, pack out rubbish, and follow the Penguin Centre's guidelines to protect nesting birds and sensitive intertidal habitat.
Penneshaw Penguin Centre
Single Kayak • Double/Family kayak • Kids kayak
Penneshaw Penguin Centre is a small wildlife operator based in Penneshaw, South Australia. The Centre offers a Penguin and Wildlife Night Walking Tour, a 60-minute evening walk led by friendly guides to view the Little Penguins that come ashore. The guided walk includes interpretation about penguin behaviour and habitat and provides opportunities to see other nocturnal animals such as Tammar Wallabies and Brushtail Possums. The experience emphasizes respectful wildlife viewing at night and includes a return visit option if penguins are elusive on the first outing.
Visitors join a short coastal walk with a guide who points out local wildlife and explains natural history relevant to penguins and other species seen. The tour runs in the evening and is timed to coincide with penguin activity, giving participants a practical chance to observe penguins in their natural environment. The Centre operates from Penneshaw and presents a focused, single-tour offering suited to people seeking close penguin encounters and family-friendly wildlife viewing.
Information about booking, meeting times, and what to bring is provided by the Centre at time of reservation. The Centre’s guided night walks are centered on live animal viewing and education, with attention to minimizing disturbance to wildlife. Photographs and reports from past visitors document sightings of Little Penguins, Tammar Wallabies and Brushtail Possums during tours. The Penguin and Wildlife Night Walking Tour lasts sixty minutes and is presented as an evening guided wildlife experience in Penneshaw, South Australia, with guides assisting visitors to observe and learn about local nocturnal species.
Tour Length
60 minutes
Evening guided walk
Location
Penneshaw, South Australia
Local coastal meeting point
Guide Style
Friendly guides
Guided night wildlife walks
Wildlife Seen
Little Penguins +
Also Tammar Wallabies, Brushtail Possums
Reserve the Penguin and Wildlife Night Walking Tour — 60 minutes of evening wildlife viewing in Penneshaw. Bookings include a return option if penguins are not seen.
Check tides and wind
Review local tide charts and the Bureau of Meteorology wind forecast before you launch; Backstairs Passage can produce strong currents and chop.
Wear water shoes
Rocky platforms and a sand ramp mean grip and foot protection matter when dragging the kayak to the water.
Supervise children
Children must be supervised at all times; the Centre is not a training facility and Penneshaw Beach is unpatrolled.
Protect wildlife
Observe penguins and seals from a distance and avoid landing near nesting ledges to minimize disturbance.
Dry bag
Keeps electronics and clothes dry during an extended shore paddle.
Secure water shoes
Protects feet on rocky shelves and helps when launching and landing.
Windproof layer
Light shell to block cool southerly winds common in cooler months.
winter
Sunscreen and broad-brim hat
Sun protection is essential on exposed water and reflective sand.
summer