Exploring Cannibal Bay in the Catlins
Cannibal Bay is a stunning, remote beach located in the Catlins in South Otago, South Island. Known for its beautiful gold-to-white sand, the bay is situated east of Owaka at the end of Cannibal Bay Road.
Features and Attractions
The bay is accessible via a short walk through the dunes at the north end of the beach, revealing a picturesque landscape. To the left are high hills and cliffs. Below the cliffs, rock pools and piles of kelp are visible as the tide recedes. To the right, a 1 km stretch of beach leads to False Islet at the southern end. This islet resembles a face when viewed from the northern end of the beach. Be cautious of pakake (sea lions) on and near the beach, maintaining a distance of at least 10 metres.
A marked track at the south end of the beach leads through the dunes behind False Islet, connecting Cannibal Bay to Surat Bay. In summer, the dunes are adorned with colourful yellow lupin flowers. Surat Bay is another excellent place to spot pakake. Be aware that pakake may also venture into the dunes.
There is a toilet near the car park, but no other facilities.
History of the Name
The name Cannibal Bay stems from an 1800s surveyor's discovery of burnt human remains on the beach. However, there is no historical evidence of cannibalism in the area.
How to Get There
To reach Cannibal Bay, travel 3.7 km north of Owaka on the Southern Scenic Route, then head southeast on the 8 km gravel Cannibal Bay Road. Although the road is well-surfaced, it is narrow and winding in some areas, offering fabulous views along the way. The drive takes approximately 20 minutes.
To return to Owaka, you can continue northwest on Cannibal Bay Road to Ahuriri Flat Road, which leads back to Owaka or towards Kaka Point and Nugget Point. This route is short yet scenic, offering spectacular views back to the bay.
