Cape Foulwind Seal Colony West Coast

Seeing wildlife in a zoo or other similar facility is all well and good, but there's simply something a little more magical about seeing animals out in the open in their native habitats. This is exemplified on the West Coast by the Tauranga Bay Seal Colony at Cape Foulwind, which overlooks the often wild waters of the Tasman Sea.

Featuring one of the busiest-year round seal colonies in the country, which peaks between October to March when the male Bull Seals return for mating, Cape Foulwind offers incredible scenery and wildlife opportunities. Despite the amazing views from clifftops and rocky shores, the main attraction is the seal colony, which can be viewed from the platform overlooking the cove.

From the platform you'll be able to see the likes of baby seals with their mothers, large males lazing on the shore, and some heading in and out of the water to catch some food. Cape Foulwind sits at the tip of Buller Bay (15 minutes from Westport) and the walk only takes around 10 minutes from the carpark, making it accessible and enjoyable for all ages (and, perhaps just as importantly, entirely free).