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Owhiro Bay
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4.0
4.0 of 5 bubbles30 reviews
Excellent
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Very good
12
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983jeu
Wellington, New Zealand20 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2022 • Family
It’s a nice bay but would not recommend for swimmers. It has recently been rated the dirtiest beach in Wellington, and 1 in 10 people who swim there get sick. I think the swimming is alright personally as long as you are not swimming around the river mouth.
Written 22 January 2022
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.

Sachin K
New York City, NY6,556 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2018 • Solo
Owhiro Bay is located at the southern side of Wellington. It is a short drive away. The bay is very rocky and one can spot seals and birds over here. A short drive up the hill from this bay offers some spectacular views.
Written 29 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.

trinitycherity
Toronto, Canada535 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2012 • Couples
We drove to Owhiro Bay and then walked to Sinclair Head to see the seals! They are only there between May-October, but boy was it worth it! The walk was about an hour, so not for people who aren't very mobile. It wasn't a tough walk though, it was very flat, mostly along the beach and some bends around the hills. The walk there was part of the attraction - the bay is very beautiful and just watching/hearing the waves crashing into shore and against the rocks was serene.

You'll get to a sign that says seal area - you'll know that they're close-by! At first I didn't see them as they're very camouflage with the sand and rocks, but there were so many! We saw maybe 30-40 seals, most of them sleeping, some swimming and playing, and one barfing! LOL We watched them for about an hour or so - they were fascinating, and it's so neat to be able to be near wild animals not in a zoo. Of course, they can be dangerous, so we didn't approach them but just watched from a distance. It was great - definitely one of the highlights to our trip to New Zealand - we'd highly recommend going to see them!!
Written 25 June 2012
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.

Ellemay 🍹🐠🐳
Sydney, Australia47,295 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2015 • Couples
Owhiro Bay is located south coast of Wellington approx 20min drive from the CBD. Its definitely worth driving along this coastal route as the scenery is very pretty.

There is a coastal walk which leads to Sinclair Heads , where there is a large NZ fur seal colony. From May to October is the best time to few the large colony of bachelor male seals. The walk from Owhiro Bay Quarry to Sinclair Head takes about an hour, following a coastal rough track.
Written 10 September 2015
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.

WynnMcL
Wellington, New Zealand17 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2014 • Solo
The bay is a nice place to walk, with a variety of birds on offer and Red Rocks just around the corner. Near the carpark there is a small building that has some history of the place on show which is quite interesting.
Not very crowded which is a major bonus, compared to the more visited coastal areas such as Oriental parade.
It's also fun to cycle from Owhiro Bay around the coast.
Written 20 December 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.

Alipa50
Wellington, New Zealand1,627 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2018 • Solo
This is one of many bays on the south coast of the north island. You can drive here from Brooklyn. The bay is stony with large rocks and is often quite rough with big waves smashing the shore. Great views on a clear day and also interesting in a Southey to see the waves at their roughest.
Written 20 September 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.

Daniel M
Seattle, WA277 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2015 • Couples
Don't know anything about the reserve and its seals, but this review is about freedom van camping nearby. A great free legal van camp spot.

We stayed here 3 nights here at the facility that is designed for overnight van camping. Next to Taputeranga marine reserve. Probably about 15 - 20 min. drive to Wellington downtown. So great location away from the city and yet very close to enjoy the city's offerings.
This is freedom camping site. No charge whatsoever. Will see many vehicles doing the same. More so at night. So when night starts to approach, might want to get here and claim a spot. We got here about 9ísh at night from the picton Ferry and was still able to find a spot But somehow ended up in a short line of cars all headed to same location from ferry. Lol.

The facility has nice big airy restrooms. Water tap outside. Usually a small line of people at night using it and getting ready for sleep and the process repeats in the morning upon waking.
I was able to give myself a European bath inside the restroom with the sink provided. Many others were doing the same.

Gravelly beach pockets here and there. Can literally walk a few steps from lot or your van space to it. There are beds of big rocks can walk somewhat. Obviously keep eye out for water level and waves crashing in. Levels are always changing. Sometimes exposed and then not.

This place was easy to find. We used GPS to navigate out of the city center but when you get to the last road near the waters, just drive all the way down past the residence homes. Drivers side is water and passengers side is homes. Soon you come upon the park lot. The lot is all asphalt. So easy for the vans tires.
I only saw 2 - 4 tents set up on gravel dirt adjacent to lot. It's mostly a cemented park lot with many slots for vans. I think i saw one RV. It's not really spacious for RV's. It was parked sideways taking up many spots. I hate when they do that. Inconsiderate. (R)oad (V)armints.

Give this place a shot. My suggestion for showers is to go to the Botanical gardens. There is a soccer/rugby field with a brick field house. There are M/F changing rooms and in there are about 2-3 showers with ample room to change and freshen up. There is free parking, a few slots, at the fieldhouse bldg.

It's only open in daylight hours. When it gets dark, they lock it up. We got there just when it's closing but the maintenance staff member was very kind to allow us in and told us to make sure the door locks upon leaving. Then another van showed up and we "passed the baton" to the next couple. But they already have been here before and knew the layout.

IT'S FREE. The field house is opened for public maybe using the field or not. We discovered this shower gem in a travel/NZ camping app.

The same with the camp spot.
Written 31 March 2016
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.

Anthony G
Wellington, New Zealand1,464 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
It's worth making the effort to head out of Welly to find this place. It's peaceful, very picturesque and seems to have plenty of wildlife on view
Written 22 January 2015
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.

Sue S
New Zealand25 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2011
So close to the city, but really a wild place. I enjoyed the wind & the waves, and the views from our friend's house 100 steps up the cliff! Can watch the ferries plying the Cook Strait. And not far to walk to excellent cafés.
Written 24 April 2012
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.

Willsot
New Richmond, Wisconsin96 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2012 • Couples
Absolutely gorgeous views all along this coastline, especially in the Red Rocks Reserve area. Best photos I have from our New Zealand trip were taken here.
Written 11 February 2012
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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OWHIRO BAY (2024) All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

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