explore Cape Foulwind Seal Colony.
real West Coast Visitor and Travel Information.

The Cape Foulwind headland is well known for the New Zealand Fur Seal colony, but also includes sooty shearwater - a large sea-going petrel - and blue penguins.

The sooty shear water reduced to near extinction on the mainland of New Zealand has a small colony surviving on this headland. Somehow a small number of breeding pairs have managed to survive through clearing, burning and farming. These birds are fully protected.

The adult birds come ashore in October to begin their breeding cycle, hatching occurs mostly in late January with the chicks fledging by about May.

Cape Foulwind Walkway

The seal colony is part of a series along the coastline and is one of six on the West Coast.

The seals have chosen Cape Foulwind to breed because of its rocky shore line that affords them haul-out spots and rich food source.

Tracks and Walks

Fur Seals, Cape Foulwind.

A quality short track takes you to viewing platforms that overlook the seal colony. This walk has been designed specifically to accommodate wheelchairs.

A longer walkway stretches from Cape Foulwind down to Tauranga Bay along the coastline. The Walkway starts at the end of the Cape Foulwind Road and finishes at the Tauranga Bay car park. The walk is one-way and you will need to arrange transport or return along the path.

The Maori knew the Cape as Tauranga which refers to the sheltered anchorage the bay provided for voyaging canoes. In 1770 it was named a place of foul winds by Captain Cook when his ship was beset by gales and wind.

Welcome to the “real” West Coast ... enjoy your stay.