South Coast - photos

Red Rocks	Cook Strait	Cook Strait	Palliser Bay
Southerly Storm	Red Rocks	Red Rocks	Lyall Bay
Wairarapa	Palliser Bay	Pencarrow	Palliser Bay
Southerly Storm	Whatarangi	Whatarangi	Whatarangi
Aerial View	Aerial View	Aerial View	The Pinnacles
Related Photo Galleries
Seals	Wairarapa	Wgtn Harbour	Southern Suburbs

The southern coastline of the North Island is a rocky coast often battered by huge swells and lashing winds from the Antarctica during winter and spring. Sandy beaches exist in pockets with some suitable for swimming during the warmer months. Popular spots on the coast exist within the boundaries of Wellington city mainly due to accesibility and safety while there is miles of more isolated coastline to explore outside of the city.

Most of the south coast within Wellington city sits within the Taputeranga Marine Reserve. This reserve extends 2.3km out to sea and along 3.3km of coastline encompassing Owhiro Bay, Island Bay, and Houghton Bay. It's protective status means you cannot fish or collect shell fish in order to boost native species that dwell here. The reserve is swept by three ocean currents that converge off the coast creating a wide range of habitats. This attract a unique rich mix of plants and sea life.

Great views of the South Island are visible along this coast with the peaks of the Kaikoura mountains standing out in winter when the peaks are covered in snow.

Notable places along the North Island's southern coastline include: Lyall and Houghtons bays for surfing, Red Rocks for walking and viewing seals, Princess Bay for swimming, and Owhiro Bay for diving and views of the South Island.