Peninsula Seal Colony
Peninsula Seal Colony
4.5
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Top ways to experience Peninsula Seal Colony and nearby attractions
The area
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
44 within 5 kms
Attractions
11 within 10 kms
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
394 reviews
Excellent
250
Very good
122
Average
19
Poor
3
Terrible
0
GaryandLesleyTravel
Auckland Central, New Zealand7,751 contributions
Oct 2020 • Couples
Heading out on the peninsula walk it’s not long before you encounter your first NZ Fur Seal. The further you walk the greater the numbers.
Having visited a few Seal colonies in NZ it’s safe to say the fast numbers here make this the best I have seen.
Having visited a few Seal colonies in NZ it’s safe to say the fast numbers here make this the best I have seen.
Written November 14, 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.
Jeff1903
King's Lynn, UK1,472 contributions
Mar 2020
Although the guide books suggest that you can see seals close to the car park, we had to walk across the wave cut platform and around the next bay to find a large colony. Here there were a number of seals lazing on the rocks unconcerned by the visitors taking pictures. Some seabirds were also attracting attention.
It is around 20-30 minutes from the car park across uneven rocks and then a pebble path. Not too difficult, but you need to watch where you put your feet. Is it worth it? On a fine day with good views and the promise of seals, most definitely yes.
It is around 20-30 minutes from the car park across uneven rocks and then a pebble path. Not too difficult, but you need to watch where you put your feet. Is it worth it? On a fine day with good views and the promise of seals, most definitely yes.
Written March 13, 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.
Rantin rover
Biggar, UK9,060 contributions
Apr 2020
The seal colony had moved from Kean Point to further south when we visited in March 2020. Some say it is due to the 2016 earthquake but I guess if I wanted some peace and quiet I'd head south of a large car park too.
There was a bit of walking involved over the tidal platform so best to have good footwear. There's a rough path which begins next to the cliff face towards the end of this section of flat rocks and beyond here the seals are encountered. Some are well disguised amongst rocks so it's not impossible to almost be upon them before you realise. Most were basking in the sunshine and easier to spot in the distance against the light coloured rock which was raised during the earthquake.
Per DOC notices, best to keep 10 metres distance for safety and to avoid disturbing these wild animals. It's easy to get good photos with a basic camera and zoom. Sadly there is always at least one visitor who cannot be satisfied until they get up alongside wildlife and at the time of our visit there was no exception to this rule. If I could get close to them I'd suggest they may prefer a zoo.
We saw lots of seals and their pups and enjoyed a walk along the Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway, returning via the cliffs which are accessed from a staircase at Whalers Bay. It's a spectacular landscape. If viewing the seals from the cliffs take binoculars.
I'd say it's best to combine the seals with the walkway and allow a half day. Check the tidal times.
There was a bit of walking involved over the tidal platform so best to have good footwear. There's a rough path which begins next to the cliff face towards the end of this section of flat rocks and beyond here the seals are encountered. Some are well disguised amongst rocks so it's not impossible to almost be upon them before you realise. Most were basking in the sunshine and easier to spot in the distance against the light coloured rock which was raised during the earthquake.
Per DOC notices, best to keep 10 metres distance for safety and to avoid disturbing these wild animals. It's easy to get good photos with a basic camera and zoom. Sadly there is always at least one visitor who cannot be satisfied until they get up alongside wildlife and at the time of our visit there was no exception to this rule. If I could get close to them I'd suggest they may prefer a zoo.
We saw lots of seals and their pups and enjoyed a walk along the Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway, returning via the cliffs which are accessed from a staircase at Whalers Bay. It's a spectacular landscape. If viewing the seals from the cliffs take binoculars.
I'd say it's best to combine the seals with the walkway and allow a half day. Check the tidal times.
Written August 12, 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.
HahnTravels
Liverpool, Australia1,290 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
The walk was pretty easy and the rewards were great. Early morning seems best time, there were hundreds of seals with pups playing, adults resting. The signs say stay 10m away and most people respect that which is great. Sometimes though you almost stumble onto some that have come ashore a bit further like the little one in our picture on the main track. Walk around to the second platform. A must do and it's free with great scenery as well
Written March 3, 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.
#TeamBailes
Kirwee, New Zealand5 contributions
Jul 2021 • Family
We booked a long weekend away in Kaikoura with the boys (8 and 10). We arrived after lunch on Friday and popped into i-Site to work out what we were going to do on the Saturday and the lovely lady planned the Friday afternoon for us - there had been a sighting of a Southern Wright Whale and her calf so suggested we drive out to the Seal Colony, walk up to the lookout and around the top of the cliff to Whalers Bay, down to the beach and back to the car park stopping at The Pier Hotel on way home. We all had the best afternoon, saw 100s and 100s of Seals, collected heaps of shells and found heaps of crab. Would not of done any of this without her suggestion and glad we did - great afternoon had by all.
Written July 30, 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.
Superwoman888
Auckland Central, New Zealand327 contributions
Mar 2021
To fully enjoy this natural wonder, allow at least an hour to visit.
Park at Point Kean carpark and walk out towards the water over the rocky platforms to see seals basking on the rocks. Make sure to keep a 10m distance. Lots to space to wander.
The weather was fine on the afternoon we visited, more care and good footwear if wet.
This part of Kaikoura coastline is spectacular when viewed from the clifftops. Access is along a path up the hill to a lookout platform. Stunning views out to sea on one side, mountain range on the other.
Start point is across the road. The path/peninsula walkway continues all the way to South Bay, 2-3 hrs.
Park at Point Kean carpark and walk out towards the water over the rocky platforms to see seals basking on the rocks. Make sure to keep a 10m distance. Lots to space to wander.
The weather was fine on the afternoon we visited, more care and good footwear if wet.
This part of Kaikoura coastline is spectacular when viewed from the clifftops. Access is along a path up the hill to a lookout platform. Stunning views out to sea on one side, mountain range on the other.
Start point is across the road. The path/peninsula walkway continues all the way to South Bay, 2-3 hrs.
Written May 2, 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.
mattieclan
Christchurch, New Zealand4 contributions
Aug 2020
One of the best walks around NZ and it is FREE.
We were lucky to visit on a perfect day walking along the walkway with fantastic picturesque viewing from the top. We then walked down a stairway to the beach and again what a sight!. We walked along the beach towards the car park and and it was a thrill to come across the seals in their natural environment. It was amazing that they were so tolerant of us when we walked past them. We would think that as long as we respect them, being quiet and not being too close and be mindful that they would be very protective of their babies, so don't do anything silly that they might become aggressive towards us.
Our grandkids will enjoy this experience as much as we did and we are keen to organise a trip for them in the near future.
We were lucky to visit on a perfect day walking along the walkway with fantastic picturesque viewing from the top. We then walked down a stairway to the beach and again what a sight!. We walked along the beach towards the car park and and it was a thrill to come across the seals in their natural environment. It was amazing that they were so tolerant of us when we walked past them. We would think that as long as we respect them, being quiet and not being too close and be mindful that they would be very protective of their babies, so don't do anything silly that they might become aggressive towards us.
Our grandkids will enjoy this experience as much as we did and we are keen to organise a trip for them in the near future.
Written August 25, 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.
p_pebbles
Whangarei, New Zealand304 contributions
Jan 2021 • Couples
We spent a bit of time here, make sure you have good footwear for traversing the rocks. We walked partially around the peninsula to where the white stones stopped and saw a range of seals, was easy to get a photo. On return we explored the area near the car park and saw more seals.
Written January 15, 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.
Rosemary73
Ashburton, New Zealand223 contributions
Jul 2020 • Couples
We biked around to view these seals. We find it interesting to just watch them go about their life, so natural. You can get quite close to the seals but have to be very careful to keep safe. It’s interesting scrambling around over the rocks. Quite exciting to watch.
Written July 4, 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.
422iana
Dunedin, New Zealand3,610 contributions
Dec 2021 • Family
You can walk along the coast on the rocks to the colony. There are ropes set up so that the seas get some protection. There is a path from the car park that goes up the hill. You can follow this for 45 mins and then down the stairs to make a loop.
Written December 30, 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.
when is good time to visit if I want to take a 1.5-2 hr walk of it?
when does the tide come in?
Written March 3, 2018
I would avoid the middle of the day as it would be hot for you and the seals will either be in the water or asleep in the shade. For tides, type "kaikoura tide times" into Google.
Written March 3, 2018
It is free, I would not suggest you try swimming with them ,as they can be very fast and feisty, the places they love the best is on the rock and not suitable for swimming. My husband was snapped at by a seal, he did not see it and his coat waved past it and caught its eye and it had a go. Yes, very fast and snappy Gave him a good old fright
Written November 13, 2016
has anyone been here to swim? are you allowed to go and swim with the seals by yourself?
Written September 8, 2015
You can swim there! I did a lot of freediving in this area. Seals are very playful in the water. They feel threatened on land and might bite when you come to close. In the water it´s a different story. They choose to check you out as they are very curious. Don´t try to touch them and you will be alright. The bad visibility, stormy seas and strong rips are however dangerous factors. You should be a strong and experienced swimmer in the ocean. Otherwise there are many tours which offer swimming with seals.
Written September 12, 2015
Showing results 1-3 of 3
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing