Curio Bay Dolphin Watch
Maps
Camping NZ NEW
Welcome to New Zealand's most comprehensive database of freely available camping information. This is the only travel map of its kind in NZ.
Photos
Information
Curio Bay Dolphin Watch
See dolphins in their natural habitat from the beach at Curio Bay
Hector's dolphins are a common sight at Curio/Porpoise Bay in South Otago's Catlins. A resident population of around 15 dolphins use the bay to play, feed and rest.
The NZ summer and autumn seasons (November through May) are the best time to see these small and rare dolphins at Curio Bay.
Please take care around these special creatures - don't feed them or chase them; they'll come to you when they want to.
Details
| Feature | Value | Info |
|---|---|---|
|
Location |
South Island ▷ Southland ▷ Waikawa |
|
|
Categories |
|
|
|
Directions To Coordinates |
||
|
Coordinates |
Dolphin Watching
Google Maps
Nearby
Reviews
-
-
Beautiful swell hitting the rocks hard.
Lukas Blaauw -
Damn cold water.
Katarina -
Very nice and long beach.
Roman and Liz -
Spectacular location.
Leon Schotter -
Really nice, windy.
Thirza & Roeland
-
October 2020, The penguins came in at 8:50 pm in, but they were so far away and it was so dark by that time that it was nearly impossible to see them.
Big disappointment. Pretty beach though.
-
Sat in the morning for sunrise between 6.20-7.20 Bt saw no dolphins.
Although, I hear people saw them sitting out on the headland at sunrise the day before. Beautiful view anyway! And I saw a penguin yesterday night at the other bay around 20.40pm. Been here mid Feb.
-
Stunning beach, rain or shine.
Hector’s dolphins playing in the swell with the swimmers and surfers. 2 cafes and a campervan site in close proximity. Lovely walk around the headland. Well worth a stop.
-
Beautiful beach.
And absolutely amazing with a group of dolphins swimming around us in the waves for quite a while. So long that it got too cold, and we had to get out of the water (it was the end of March) In the evening we saw one Pinguin at the petrified Forrest. All in all a super spot in NZ. Only minus was the water temperature and the sandflies.
-
We arrived at this beautiful beach on the afternoon and after waiting for 30 min we saw a couple of dolphins.
It was amazing! They were very close! But it was so cold, so I could not imagine swimming with them... I regret to don't sleep 1 night in that place. In the other side, we also could see penguins, so it was perfect!
-
-
It was a not a paid activity which makes it more amazing.
I will never forget swimming with a dolphin in this natural habitat.
-
Around 20 wild dolphins live at Curio Bay and if you are lucky you can swim with them.
Even without the dolphins the bay is beautiful and a nice place to relax.
-
Spectacular location.
The bay is a shelter for a lot of dolphins. Also beautiful for surfing and just hanging around.
-
-
A-MA-ZING!
You can watch the dolphins from very close and even swim between them! They're not scared at all, really lovely. Although the water is freezing cold... But really worth it, and free!
-
-
-
Great to see dolphins swimming out at sea whilst sunbathing/swim in sea.
In evening watch the penguins come ashore and looking at fossil forest. Clambering over rocks. All free - carpark included!
-
-
One of my favourite experiences in New Zealand.
Dolphins came very close to the beach and swam around people.
-
Beautiful landscape, nice campsite, cliffs, beach, ocean and dolphins coming to the beach.
-
Just awesome!
Got into the water and waited while the dolphins passed by. But the water was pretty cold.
-
October 2020, The penguins came in at 8:50 pm in, but they were so far away and it was so dark by that time that it was nearly impossible to see them.
Big disappointment. Pretty beach though.
-
Sat in the morning for sunrise between 6.20-7.20 Bt saw no dolphins.
Although, I hear people saw them sitting out on the headland at sunrise the day before. Beautiful view anyway! And I saw a penguin yesterday night at the other bay around 20.40pm. Been here mid Feb.
-
Beautiful beach.
And absolutely amazing with a group of dolphins swimming around us in the waves for quite a while. So long that it got too cold, and we had to get out of the water (it was the end of March) In the evening we saw one Pinguin at the petrified Forrest. All in all a super spot in NZ. Only minus was the water temperature and the sandflies.
-
Stunning beach, rain or shine.
Hector’s dolphins playing in the swell with the swimmers and surfers. 2 cafes and a campervan site in close proximity. Lovely walk around the headland. Well worth a stop.
-
We arrived at this beautiful beach on the afternoon and after waiting for 30 min we saw a couple of dolphins.
It was amazing! They were very close! But it was so cold, so I could not imagine swimming with them... I regret to don't sleep 1 night in that place. In the other side, we also could see penguins, so it was perfect!
-
-
It was a not a paid activity which makes it more amazing.
I will never forget swimming with a dolphin in this natural habitat.
-
-
Around 20 wild dolphins live at Curio Bay and if you are lucky you can swim with them.
Even without the dolphins the bay is beautiful and a nice place to relax.
-
Spectacular location.
The bay is a shelter for a lot of dolphins. Also beautiful for surfing and just hanging around.
-
-
-
A-MA-ZING!
You can watch the dolphins from very close and even swim between them! They're not scared at all, really lovely. Although the water is freezing cold... But really worth it, and free!
-
-
Great to see dolphins swimming out at sea whilst sunbathing/swim in sea.
In evening watch the penguins come ashore and looking at fossil forest. Clambering over rocks. All free - carpark included!
-
Beautiful landscape, nice campsite, cliffs, beach, ocean and dolphins coming to the beach.
-
Just awesome!
Got into the water and waited while the dolphins passed by. But the water was pretty cold.
-
-
One of my favourite experiences in New Zealand.
Dolphins came very close to the beach and swam around people.
-
Damn cold water.
Make sure you will take neo socks and body neoprene. You can also borrow one but only with a surf. If you are lucky dolphins will make a show for you.