Coastal Otago

Where to Find Them

Coastal Otago is genuinely one of the better spots in the South Island for seal encounters, and the good news is they tend to show up as a bonus rather than something you have to chase. Katiki Point near Moeraki is my pick for the most concentrated colony. Lots of seals, dramatic lighthouse backdrop, and if you time it right (late afternoon, say 4pm onwards), you might also catch rare Yellow-eyed penguins coming ashore. Hard to beat as a single stop.

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The OPERA

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Clearwater Wildlife Tours

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The Peninsula and Beyond

On the Otago Peninsula, Sandfly Bay and Allans Beach both deliver. Allans is quieter and often has sea lions hanging around the beach itself, which feels pretty wild when you stumble onto it. Further north, Doctors Point road leads to another raw stretch of coast where a random seal encounter is pretty much standard. Worth checking the tide before you go as the arches down there are much better at low tide. And if you're pushing past Moeraki, Shag Point is another rugged detour that's worth taking off SH1 for seal viewing along the coast.

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