Curio Bay, Southland
A true treasure
Let’s see… a 180 million year old petrified forest on the shoreline, miniature dolphins, the occasional whale, rare penguins that walk right past you, and a pretty decent surf break. All this in an environment where you might not see a dozen other people all day long. Curio Bay is flat-out awesome.
We visited in mid-winter, and other than a trio of diehard surfers, we pretty much had the place to ourselves. At sunset, we sat on the rocky shore and watched yellow-eyed penguins emerge from the surf and waddle within arm’s length of us on their way to their nests in the surrounding bush. We didn’t see the rare Hector’s Dolphins that frequent the area – in winter they stay further off shore.
There aren’t a lot of lodging or dining options, especially in winter, but you won’t mind.
Seriously, one of the most amazing experiences ever.
Enlarge
Places I want to go
Places I've been
Explorer
Photo Pro
List Creator
Staff Writer
Favorite Lists