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Watch NZ Fur Seals play - right next to State Highway 1.
Ohau Point Seal Colony might be New Zealand's most accessible Seal Watching experience. And it's free! The carpark is directly off State highway 1 and as a traveller put it 'the seals are right there, waiting for you!'
A glorious spot on a nice day with the backdrop of the mighty Pacific Ocean. Enjoy!
Feature | Value | Info |
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Location |
South Island ▷ Kaikoura Region ▷ Kaikoura |
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Payment Requirement |
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Payment RequirementIs there a cost for this experience or is it free? Free access/participation The experience costs no money to access or take part in. |
Between Picton and Kaikoura.
Beautiful sights.
We went during sunset.
Big seal colony with carpark at top of hill.
Best location for seals in NZ
Rating | Count | Percentage | |
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10/10 | 45 |
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48% |
9/10 | 21 |
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23% |
8/10 | 19 |
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20% |
7/10 | 5 |
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5% |
6/10 | 2 |
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2% |
5/10 | 1 |
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1% |
4/10 | 0 |
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0% |
3/10 | 0 |
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0% |
2/10 | 0 |
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0% |
1/10 | 0 |
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0% |
5.0/5
28Apr24.
Since the earthquake spoiled the situation by destroying the previous walk up to the seal pups pool, the roadside facility has been hugely improved.
Good parking area with a 300m walkway looking over where the pups play in the sheltered water or sunbathe on the rocks.
Not to be missed
Reviewed 6 months ago
5.0/5
Left Kaikoura after a day of whale watching with “Whale Watch Kaikoura” who were excellent in their own right then we headed north.
We make plans when organising our trip but we’re so lucky we did. We watched the seals for at least half and hour but honestly could have spent an entire day. Got some great pictures of the pups feeding, playing swimming and sleeping. Can’t recommend high enough.
Reviewed over 1 year ago
5.0/5
There must have bern hundreds of seals (mostly being lazy) and it was honour to just watch them for as long as I wanted.
Wonderful
Reviewed about 2 years ago
4.5/5
Short walk through bush - waterfall and at the end - seal pups.
The beach across the road is good for views too.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in October 2016
3.5/5
A small walkway next to the coast with a lot of seals there.
Easy to access with the car and the seals are lovely. Just chilling in the sun.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in October 2016
4.0/5
Just up the main road to a waterfall where little baby seal pups hang out and play.
As long as you are quiet, what amazing creatures.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in October 2016
5.0/5
Great experience, seal pups playing in a waterfall and climbing rocks.
Easy access, short walk. Rewarding and fun for all ages.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in October 2016
3.5/5
Good, easy walk to see the seal colony, lots of seals!
Free to do.
Reviewed about 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016
5.0/5
Spotted 20+ seal pups.
Very well maintained and well worth stopping and exploring.
Reviewed about 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016
5.0/5
You can see dolphins, whales and other kinds of animals just from the coast!!
If you are lucky!
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in February 2016
3.5/5
Very nice walk to a stunning waterfall and sit on the rocks by the ocean - tons of seals!
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in January 2016
5.0/5
Seals everywhere we stopped.
Pups at the waterfall. Beautiful freedom camping beachside at the Meatworks.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in November 2015
5.0/5
28Apr24.
Since the earthquake spoiled the situation by destroying the previous walk up to the seal pups pool, the roadside facility has been hugely improved.
Good parking area with a 300m walkway looking over where the pups play in the sheltered water or sunbathe on the rocks.
Not to be missed
Reviewed 6 months ago
5.0/5
Left Kaikoura after a day of whale watching with “Whale Watch Kaikoura” who were excellent in their own right then we headed north.
We make plans when organising our trip but we’re so lucky we did. We watched the seals for at least half and hour but honestly could have spent an entire day. Got some great pictures of the pups feeding, playing swimming and sleeping. Can’t recommend high enough.
Reviewed over 1 year ago
5.0/5
There must have bern hundreds of seals (mostly being lazy) and it was honour to just watch them for as long as I wanted.
Wonderful
Reviewed about 2 years ago
2.5/5
Sooo many seals!!
But due to roadworks at the moment (April 2018) it is very difficult to park and to get out of the car there.
Reviewed over 6 years ago
4.5/5
Short walk through bush - waterfall and at the end - seal pups.
The beach across the road is good for views too.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in October 2016
3.5/5
A small walkway next to the coast with a lot of seals there.
Easy to access with the car and the seals are lovely. Just chilling in the sun.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in October 2016
4.0/5
Just up the main road to a waterfall where little baby seal pups hang out and play.
As long as you are quiet, what amazing creatures.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in October 2016
5.0/5
Great experience, seal pups playing in a waterfall and climbing rocks.
Easy access, short walk. Rewarding and fun for all ages.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in October 2016
3.5/5
Good, easy walk to see the seal colony, lots of seals!
Free to do.
Reviewed about 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016
5.0/5
Spotted 20+ seal pups.
Very well maintained and well worth stopping and exploring.
Reviewed about 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016
5.0/5
You can see dolphins, whales and other kinds of animals just from the coast!!
If you are lucky!
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in February 2016
3.5/5
Very nice walk to a stunning waterfall and sit on the rocks by the ocean - tons of seals!
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in January 2016
5.0/5
Seals everywhere we stopped.
Pups at the waterfall. Beautiful freedom camping beachside at the Meatworks.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in November 2015
3.0/5
Great to see, nice walk, gorgeous frolicking seal pups.
Reviewed over 8 years ago
4.0/5
We went during sunset.
The view from the lookout was absolutely breathtaking. Worth a quick stop.
Reviewed almost 10 years ago
5.0/5
Best spot to see lots of seals, including new borns playing around.
Spent more than an hour just watching these amazing creatures.,
Reviewed almost 10 years ago
4.5/5
Sweet, loads of seals on the beach and in the forest.
A shame that some tourists were running after them trying to take pictures.
Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in April 2014
5.0/5
Stunning views of seal pups swimming in shallow rock pools at close quarters.
Like a natural history video - but in real life!
Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in February 2014
5.0/5
Up close with New Zealand fur seals.
Amazing views!!
Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in January 2014
4.5/5
Good chance to see seals.
Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in January 2014
4.5/5
Parking at the cliffside car park is a bit dangerous since it's on a slight bend in the road.
LOTS of adult seals and pups sunning and swimming. Fun to watch the pups play. We didn't appreciate the people who ignored the signs and wandered down the hill trying to get close to the seals.
Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in February 2014
4.5/5
Best location for seals in NZ
Reviewed over 11 years ago and experienced in December 2011
3.5/5
Natural seals and a good experience.
Reviewed over 11 years ago and experienced in March 2013
5.0/5
Great experience, natural happy seals, FREE.
Reviewed over 11 years ago and experienced in March 2013
5.0/5
So much fun we returned the next morning just to observe
Reviewed over 11 years ago and experienced in February 2013
5.0/5
Just a wonderful experience We could have stayed all day.
Called again the next day - even better a school of dolphins were swimming offshore - as well as all the seals being there again.
Reviewed over 11 years ago
4.0/5
Great spot to see 'natural' seals - well positioned lookout.
Reviewed over 11 years ago
5.0/5
Pull in to see seals on beach and rocks below - pups playing, males sizing each other up, Followed by pull in to a waterfall, pups in stream, 2foot away from you, passing and playing and females on rocks
coming very close.
Reviewed over 11 years ago and experienced in December 2012