Tauranga Bay Seal Colony
Tauranga Bay Seal Colony
Tauranga Bay Seal Colony
4.5
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4.5
52 reviews
Excellent
33
Very good
15
Average
4
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Shelley M
Albany, New Zealand915 contributions
Jul 2020
Not far from the carpark at Tauranga bay, the seals are nice to watch for half an hour. At first you dont think there are any there until they move as they blend in with the rocks. Loads of them were lying on the rocks in the sun and until they moved of made a noise they just looked like rocks. We stopped counting at 30. Fun to watch them going out to sea and coming back in again. Walkway was easy to navigate and good amount of parking available and a toilet too. Picnic tables available also.
Written 18 July 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.
DJandR
Wanaka, New Zealand452 contributions
Mar 2021
Fantastic walk from carpark up to Tauranga Bay seal colony, lots of information boards. Wide walkways and viewing platforms.
We were saddened by the lack of seals 2x adults and numerous pups. The pups were having a lot of fun in the pools of water and clambering around the rocks. We last visited 26 years ago and there is a marked difference in the number of seals.
Great parking and clean toilets. A must do in Westport.
We were saddened by the lack of seals 2x adults and numerous pups. The pups were having a lot of fun in the pools of water and clambering around the rocks. We last visited 26 years ago and there is a marked difference in the number of seals.
Great parking and clean toilets. A must do in Westport.
Written 10 March 2021
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.
littlebigbear
Tauranga, New Zealand96 contributions
Dec 2020 • Family
Did the walk which started near the lighthouse then took you to the seals and back. Great views of the rugged coastline and the seals. Found some geocaches on the way. Ice cream available at the seal end. It’s sad for local business that there are less tourists but has meant a more enjoyable trip for us crowd adverse New Zealanders.
Written 30 December 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.
Bernard R
Whangarei, New Zealand1,040 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
This bay is adjacent to Cape Foulwinds where there is a substantial seal colony which in itself is amazing to see. There are two car parks signposted for the Foulwinds Seal sanctuary, the one nearest to Carters beach is about an hours walk from the seals, whilst the other near Tauranga Bay is only a few minutes away up a short track. The bay itself is stunning and is adjacent to a large car park which accommodates Motorhomes as well as cars. Well worth a visit just for the bay itself let alone other attractions.
Written 23 March 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.
GaryandLesleyTravel
Auckland Central, New Zealand7,851 contributions
Jun 2020 • Couples
From the Tauranga Bay car park the NZ Fur Seal colony is just a 10min walk each way. If you have the time stay on the path to follow the Cape Foulwind coastal walk that is breathtaking. On reaching the high point you will be able to see the lighthouse and Karamea while looking back you have views down the coast to Mt Cook. The walk from the seals to the lighthouse is 40mins each way, the walk from the seals to the view point half of that. #nzforfree
Written 3 June 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.
ReeDee77
Christchurch, New Zealand29 contributions
Sept 2020
Easy walk to the colony and heaps of parking for campers. At first glance you can't see the seals but they blend really well into their surroundings!! There are HEAPS of them hanging out on rocks and sunning themselves. So well worth a visit.
Written 27 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.
vernon x
Auckland Central, New Zealand72 contributions
Mar 2021
Good area to park the car. Toilet in carpark. The walk to the seal colony is easy and only about 10-15 minutes. Viewing platform is large and offers amazing views of seals and majestic waves crashing onto rocks in the bay.
Written 5 March 2021
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.
jrdh
638 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
Stopped off on the way south along the west coast. Good size car park with public toilets. A story walk up the hill to see the seal colony. There are many seals on the rocks and great to see the pups in the small rock pools swimming while the mother's looked on. Well worth a visit.
Written 12 February 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.
GemGem
53 contributions
Jun 2023 • Family
Good parking at the entrance and then Excellent and well defined short walk up the hill to the lookout platform over the seal colony. Informative boards to read and beautiful place to watch the sunset. There weren't many seals when we went but there are seals there all year round. Worth adding to your list of things to do while you are on the coast.
Written 29 June 2023
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.
zg64
51 contributions
Mar 2024 • Friends
Visited as part of a small tour group. This is a quick stop off of the road to Abel Tasman Park but well worth seeing. There are approximately 50 seals. It’s about a 20 minute stop and free of charge.
Written 16 March 2024
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.
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