Roaring Bay
Roaring Bay
4.5
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4.5
72 reviews
Excellent
44
Very good
19
Average
8
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Rantin rover
Biggar, UK9,060 contributions
Mar 2020
The penguin hide is located just off the road leading out to Nugget Point. There is a parking area however if it is full there is a larger one up at the lighthouse and it is not a huge distance to walk between the car parks. It is recommended in any case to visit the lighthouse for the scenery.
There is a short well maintained path from the car park to the hide which overlooks Roaring Bay. The hide didn't exist when we visited the area previously and it is a sturdy building providing some shelter but not much comfort.
When we arrived a DOC volunteer was already there and during discussion it emerged that the yellow-eyed penguin (hoiho) population was declining and at this particular location was down to a few breeding pairs who had bred and departed. We were awaiting a solo penguin which had been spotted in recent times and could return to its nesting place anytime within a few hours window. What were the chances we'd see it? It's a bleak stony bay and as we stood looking out the open windows, scanning the shoreline I must admit my hopes were not high. After a half hour or so we were getting cold and in fading light decided to admit defeat. We have seen these penguins elsewhere in The Catlins years ago so it would have only been a bonus if this lonesome penguin had appeared by chance during our short visit to the Bay.
A few other hopeful visitors arrived as we departed anxious to hear if any had been spotted...not yet was our reply. They may have been fortunate.
We visited in March 2020, prior to Covid-19 lockdown.
There is a short well maintained path from the car park to the hide which overlooks Roaring Bay. The hide didn't exist when we visited the area previously and it is a sturdy building providing some shelter but not much comfort.
When we arrived a DOC volunteer was already there and during discussion it emerged that the yellow-eyed penguin (hoiho) population was declining and at this particular location was down to a few breeding pairs who had bred and departed. We were awaiting a solo penguin which had been spotted in recent times and could return to its nesting place anytime within a few hours window. What were the chances we'd see it? It's a bleak stony bay and as we stood looking out the open windows, scanning the shoreline I must admit my hopes were not high. After a half hour or so we were getting cold and in fading light decided to admit defeat. We have seen these penguins elsewhere in The Catlins years ago so it would have only been a bonus if this lonesome penguin had appeared by chance during our short visit to the Bay.
A few other hopeful visitors arrived as we departed anxious to hear if any had been spotted...not yet was our reply. They may have been fortunate.
We visited in March 2020, prior to Covid-19 lockdown.
Written 11 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Juliet F
Athenree, New Zealand205 contributions
Mar 2020
The helpful lady at Owaka Information Centre had recommended us visiting Roaring Bay, but we were traveling in a camper van and the carpark above Roaring Bay only has room for 6 cars, and definitely not an area for camper vans. We were also there at the wrong time of day (early afternoon) as dawn and dusk are when you might see the penguins. So it was disappointing.
Written 10 May 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Geoff49
Stockport51 contributions
Jan 2018 • Couples
It’s an 8km drive down to Roaring Bay on a gravel road but the beach and view are well worth the effort. The sea lions were active and fun to watch.
Written 5 February 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joy H
New Plymouth, New Zealand67 contributions
Mar 2018 • Couples
It's a short walk from the car park to the hide, from where you can see yellow-eyed penguins. They go into the sea early morning and return at dusk. There's a well-positioned hide (building to hide you from the penguins) with windows that open, and from there you can stand and watch/wait patiently for penguins. They might take a while! If you want to take good photos, you'd need a long lens on your camera. Mine was at maximum, and in the low light, photos were recognisable, but not great. Still, an exceptional experience.
Written 5 March 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KETAN A
Mumbai, India176 contributions
Feb 2018 • Solo
The only yellow eye penguin i saw on my entire trip. But this was pure luck. We tried and there it was standing on the beach. The praiseworthy thing is viewing shed that has been made for convenience of both the penguin and the visitors. Really amazing the way the tourism department has done their job.
Written 14 February 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JPL93
Belfast, UK441 contributions
Dec 2017 • Couples
Visited here along with the Lighthouse and the Nuggets.
Also Kaka Point itself is beautiful.
There is a small colony of these ultra rare penguins and after positioning ourselves in the hide for an hour at 4pm we say 3 penguins over the next hour.
Very emotional watching these small creatures hop across the stones and rocks to feed their chick - memorial experience
Also Kaka Point itself is beautiful.
There is a small colony of these ultra rare penguins and after positioning ourselves in the hide for an hour at 4pm we say 3 penguins over the next hour.
Very emotional watching these small creatures hop across the stones and rocks to feed their chick - memorial experience
Written 27 January 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Karina G
5 contributions
An easy walk and well wprth it. Seen penguins on the beach and in the grass area. Great to see they have windows down low in the hide , so that children and us shorter people can see.
Written 1 May 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PiotrNH
Krakow, Poland83 contributions
Mar 2013 • Couples
We visited Roaring Bay on our way back from Nugget Point. These two were great combination of fantastic sites to see. Above the beach in Roaring Bay there's a viewing platform (hide). We arrived to it around 5 pm in March. When we came there were already penguins playing on the beach. I'm pretty sure in high season the hide itself can be quite crowded as it's not too big. From it you can admire beautiful view of the bay. We spend around an hour watching the beach and in this time we saw 6 penguins, three of them emerging from the water and landing on sand. Amazing spectacle, worth waiting a while. Don't miss this place, especially if you like observing nature.
Written 22 June 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jennie M
Dunedin, New Zealand22 contributions
When we lived locally this was a compulsory place to visit just on dusk to watch the yellow eyed penguins come surfing in on the waves and then waddle up the beach to nest for the night. So called due to the boulders making a roaring noise with the right sort of tide.
Written 8 May 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Annfrew
Wellington, New Zealand152 contributions
Oct 2019
After an hour of freezing cold in the permanent hide I was rewarded by 2 (yes, 2!!) yellow eyed penguins who stood together on the beach preening themselves and each other before hopping across the rocks and up the beach. Had I had to return to the car penguinless the scoring would not have been excellent (just saying)
Written 4 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Whats the best time of day to view penguins in April?
Written 10 April 2017
Hi there,
Best viewing for April is after 4pm.. Good luck :-)
Written 19 April 2017
九龙坡
Chongqing Region, China
where can i Park to visit roaring bay ? thank you very much
Written 18 March 2016
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