Surat Bay
New Zealand sea lions often rest on the beach here. You can observe them up close, keeping at least 10 metres away.
Surat Bay is named after the emigrant ship Surat, which ran aground here in 1874. Its wide beach connects with the mouth of the Catlins River. It is an excellent place to see New Zealand sea lions, one of the rarest sea lion species in the world, and the adult males are very large. Walk along the beach from the Newhaugh car park. Continuing south, you can reach Cannibal Bay. Keep at least 10 metres from the sea lions and never stand between them and the sea.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Cannibal Bay
- Jack's Blowhole
- Tunnel Hill Historic Reserve
- Owaka Museum Wahi Kahuika
- Nugget Point / Tokatā
- Kaka Point
- Purakaunui Falls
- Matai Falls & Horseshoe Falls