Sandfly Bay from Seal Point Road

Dogs No Dogs

Features Views · Wildlife

A short walk to one of the Otago Peninsula's most beautiful beaches. Wildlife, including seals, sea lions and penguins, abound on the beach.

From the carpark at the end of Seal Point Road, a well-graded track descends through sheep paddocks toward Sandfly Bay. At a viewpoint with information signs, the trail drops steeply into the dunes, where a short and sandy descent takes you to the beautiful beach. Be wary of sea lions on the beach, and sometimes in the dunes above. Once at the beach you can explore to your heart's content before heading back the way you came.

Sandfly Bay is a great place to see wildlife. This is one of the few spots on the South Island where New Zealand Sea Lions can regularly be found, usually lounging on the beach or in the dunes. Smaller Fur Seals are often on the rocks at either end of the beach. Sandfly Bay is also home to Yellow-eyed Penguins, which typically come ashore in the evening. There is a viewing blind in the dunes at the east end of the beach to facilitate viewing. These shy birds are much less likely to swim to the beach if they sense humans are present.