Ohau Point Seal Colony
Ohau Point Seal Colony, Kaikoura: Address, Ohau Point Seal Colony Reviews: 4.5/5
Ohau Point Seal Colony
Ohau Point Seal Colony
4.5
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Top ways to experience Ohau Point Seal Colony and nearby attractions
The area
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
34 within 5 kms
Cafe Encounter
482
1 km$$ - $$$ • Quick Bites • Cafe • International
Zephyr Restaurant
241
1.3 km$$ - $$$ • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options • Gluten Free Options
Poppy's Handmade Ice Cream Parlour & Cafe
261
1.4 km$ • Dessert • Cafe • Seafood
The Whaler
544
1.3 km$$ - $$$ • Quick Bites • Bar • Pub
Black Rabbit Pizza
483
1.6 km$$ - $$$ • Pizza • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Coopers Catch Kaikoura
825
1.4 km$ • Quick Bites • Seafood • Fast food
Thai Siam Kaikoura
382
1.3 km$$ - $$$ • Asian • Thai • Vegetarian Friendly
Kaikoura Indian Restaurant&Cafe
231
1.6 km$$ - $$$ • Indian • Asian • Vegetarian Friendly
Allure Cafe and Gallery
202
1.4 km$$ - $$$ • Quick Bites • Fast food • Grill
SlamClub
57
1.4 km$$ - $$$ • Quick Bites • Cafe • New Zealand
Attractions
12 within 10 kms
Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway
1,155
1.2 kmHiking Trails
Kaikoura i-SITE Visitor Information Centre
322
1.2 kmVisitor Centres
Kaikoura Museum
145
1.2 kmHistory Museums
Peninsula Seal Colony
387
3.6 kmNature & Wildlife Areas
Fyffe House
151
2.7 kmHistoric Sites
Kaikoura Lookout
14
1.8 kmLookouts
The Point Sheep Shearing Show
61
2.7 kmFarms
Maori Leap Cave
33
2 kmCaverns & Caves
Kaikoura Marine Aquarium
57
2.2 kmAquariums
Lavendyl Lavender Farm
172
Farms
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Popular mentions
4.5
1,230 reviews
Excellent
871
Very good
299
Average
46
Poor
9
Terrible
5
Susan W
Auckland, New Zealand3 contributions
Apr 2022
Gorgeous coastline and easy access to view the seals. The tiny young seals climbing in and out of the water onto the rocks looked so playful. Well worth the drive.
Written 10 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
pivacjackie
Wellington, New Zealand25 contributions
May 2022
I absolutely love watching the seals sunning themselves on the rocks, and especially love seeing the pups learning to swim and play in the little sheltered pools.
Written 9 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
lindalulu8
Nelson, New Zealand11 contributions
Apr 2022
So many darling seals to watch, the babies so cute. Easy to view from roadside plenty of parking, sad you can no longer watch them go up to the waterfall though.
Written 7 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Amos Q
Honiara, Solomon Islands109 contributions
May 2022 • Couples
Great to be able to visit, view and photograph these beautiful seals in their natural environment. Able to get close enough without encroaching on them. Amazing!
Written 4 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Allan Ward
Sydney, Australia2 contributions
Apr 2022
Convenient parking and an excellent viewing platform right on the highway a few kilometers north of Kaikoura.
Written 2 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Dona S
Porirua, New Zealand823 contributions
Apr 2022
We stopped on our way back to Picton to watch the seals - all ages, with some babies suckling from the mothers and others playing in the rock pools. Lovely
Written 14 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Fforde
Manchester, UK447 contributions
Apr 2022
While young seals played in the surf, babies were being nursed by their mothers on the rocks, while others were either meandering about or (mostly) lying in the sun.
Hundreds of seals enjoying seal life. Very easy to enter and exit car park, boardwalk is flat (wheelchair/pram suitable) for a short walk in either direction.
Hundreds of seals enjoying seal life. Very easy to enter and exit car park, boardwalk is flat (wheelchair/pram suitable) for a short walk in either direction.
Written 9 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
sweetpeapb1
Auckland Central, New Zealand148 contributions
Aug 2021
Just by driving along the coast you see hundreds of seals lazing in the sun. Some seem to be posers for you and wave their flippers.
Written 26 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Kevin T
Auckland, New Zealand1,050 contributions
Jul 2021 • Couples
Stopped at the point car park and then had a walk both ways up and down the pathway. Hundreds of seals chilling on the rocks in the middle of winter. Enjoy…..
Written 1 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
LiverpoolLelly
Crosby, UK160 contributions
We are visiting Kaikoura next Feb we wont have a hire car and was wondering if we would be able to get a taxi or is there a local bus that runs around that area?
JKWG
Wellington, New Zealand86 contributions
Your best bet is a tour. Sure to be one from Kaikoura - plus there are other sites to see seals and a tour will get you to the best ones. Some other really good tours from Kaikoura too. Make sure you have some crayfish while you are there!
LiverpoolLelly
Crosby, UK160 contributions
We are staying in Kiakoura next Feb and would like to visit the Ohau seal coloney, we don't have a hire car would we be able to get a taxi or is there a local bus that could take us there? Any ideas? Thanks
Tania C
Woodend, New Zealand37 contributions
Hi, Unfortunately you would need a car to get to Ohau Seal Colony and I am unsure of a bus. However check out local websites and flick them an email to see if they have any bus tours to Ohau in Feb,they may do given this is a peak time for them. Enjoy our beautiful natural coast line. Thanks
SingaporeAndrew
Singapore, Singapore47 contributions
Hi Amy, all. Can you please advise the location of the place (on google maps)? I understand there are some road closures around that region so wondering whether we should plan for this or give it a miss. We'll be coming from Christchurch heading north.
Old V
173 contributions
The coastal road, SH1, is open and you can drive straight through from Christchurch.
delphine p
2 contributions
comment avez vous fait pour vous rendre a ohau point car c est sur la route fermee du au tremblement de terre y a t'il un autre moyen de s'y rendre ?
christelle F
Biot, France38 contributions
la route est fermée après kaikoura en venant de chrischurc. Ns avons du faire demi tour et passer par les terres pour rejoindre picton. Une journée de route !
ad00dy
Auckland Central, New Zealand
best time of year to vist seals
Robbies777
Stratford, New Zealand44 contributions
We were there in March and there were heaps
Are the seals dangerous? Will they attack? What happens if one is in the path on the way back?
ScandiScot
Iowa97 contributions
There is a viewing platform elevated above and at a distance from the seal colony. You should never approach wild animals because they can be unpredictable--and because it is not in their best interest to become acclimated to humans. Observe from a distance and enjoy them acting naturally. :-)
Annette T
Wellington, New Zealand7 contributions
Worth going to see end of May this year - or too late for seals? Thanks,
Frequently Asked Questions about Ohau Point Seal Colony
- We recommend booking Ohau Point Seal Colony tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 5 Ohau Point Seal Colony tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Ohau Point Seal Colony:
- Seal Swimming Tour from Kaikoura (From $127.85)
- 7 Day - South Island Tour (All inclusive) (From $1,515.62)
- 11 day - South Island Tour (All inclusive) (From $2,076.57)
- 14 Day - North to South Island Tour (All inclusive) (From $2,907.61)
- 18 day - North & South Island Tour (All inclusive) (From $3,634.78)
- Hotels near Ohau Point Seal Colony:
- (0.77 km) Nikau Lodge
- (0.67 km) Barnacle Bills
- (0.92 km) Kaikoura Holiday Homes Limited
- (1.14 km) Bendamere House Bed and Breakfast
- (1.03 km) The Hampton's Bed and Breakfast
- Restaurants near Ohau Point Seal Colony:
- (0.96 km) Cafe Encounter
- (1.31 km) Zephyr Restaurant
- (1.56 km) Black Rabbit Pizza
- (1.38 km) Poppy's Handmade Ice Cream Parlour & Cafe
- (1.57 km) Kaikoura Indian Restaurant&Cafe