Tourism operators, including Larnach Castle, Monarch Wildlife Cruises, Nature's Wonders and the Royal Albatross Centre, reported a bumper day of trade as people flocked to the peninsula to take advantage of reduced ticket prices.
The carnival got off to a rollicking start on Saturday with about 5000 people enjoying the activities at the gala fun day at the Edgar Centre.
A special Department of Conservation tour of Quarantine Island yesterday was "more popular than we ever imagined", community relations ranger Liz Sherwood said.
More than 200 people travelled by boat from the Portobello jetty to Quarantine Island.
Myra Woolrych, of Dunedin, said it was a "fantastic opportunity" to take the family to visit the island.
Other festival events on the peninsula included a gnome hunt at Glenfalloch Woodland Garden and a tour by the Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust to a private yellow-eyed penguin reserve.
Monarch Wildlife Cruises owner-operator John Milburn said the business had to turn away dozens of people, who missed out on the four voyages to Wellers Rock yesterday.
In the spirit of the school holidays, Mr Milburn said he would offer two more cruises to those who missed out, with the Monarch to leave at 2.30pm today and again tomorrow.
