Pōhatu Marine Reserve
Located in Banks Peninsula area in the Canterbury region
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Introduction
Pōhatu Marine Reserve is a sheltered bay on Banks Peninsula’s outer coastline. It is home to some characteristic marine animals like white-flippered blue penguins and New Zealand fur seals.Pōhatu was established in 1999 and is 215 hectares. Pohatu Marine Reserve is 3 km from Akaroa Marine Reserve.
Find things to do and places to stay Pōhatu Marine Reserve
Pōhatu is teeming with life above and below the water.
From the kororā (little penguin} and hoiho (yellow-eyed penguin} that come to shore every night to the seals and Hector’s, common, and dusky dolphins that frequent the waters, there is always something to see.
Keep your vessel clean and pest free
You can help protect Canterbury's beautiful waterways and marine ecosystems by being a good boatie and keeping a clean hull. Check out our handy guide to good boat maintenance practices.
Snorkelers and divers need to be aware of the limitations of people in their party - the reserve is relatively isolated, with no cell phone coverage or medical help available nearby.
Be aware that the road to and from the reserve reaches nearly 700 m above sea level. Make sure to plan dives and surface times carefully to avoid developing decompression sickness (the bends) when driving out.
Access by land to the reserve is only suitable for 4WD vehicles and parking is limited.
To get to Pōhatu Marine Reserve, take State Highway 75 to Akaroa, then the gravel Lighthouse Road up to the Flea Bay Road turnoff.
The beach is surrounded by private land. Please respect the beach access provided.
Weather Warning
The weather can change rapidly, creating dangerous sea conditions and challenging driving on the gravel road to the reserve. Be prepared for rain and carry warm clothes.
Scuba Diver Warning
Scuba divers driving to the reserve need to be aware that the road reaches nearly 600 meters above sea level. Plan dives and surface times carefully to avoid decompression sickness (the bends) during the drive out. Snorkelers and divers should be aware of the limitations of their party members, as this is a relatively isolated area with no cell phone coverage or medical help available in the bay.
Wildlife
The reserve is home to seals, penguins, and dolphins that can become distressed when approached. Maintain the required distance from marine mammals to ensure a safe and respectful encounter.
Marine Reserve Rules
- It is not permitted to take any animal or natural item from the reserve, including fish, shellfish, shells, seaweed, rocks, or driftwood.
- Carefully replace rocks and stones if you lift them to observe marine life.
- Stay on the main beach, as the surrounding area is private land and penguins nest there.
- Remove all rubbish.
- Dogs are not permitted in the reserve as they disturb wildlife.
Pōhatu Marine Reserve’s rock pools are home to dense communities of smaller sea creatures, and beneath the waves. It features a diverse range of water depths and seabed types. This combination of interesting topography and abundant marine life, both above and below the waterline, makes Pōhatu well worth a visit despite its remoteness.
Wildlife
About 2,600 kororā (white-flippered/little penguins) and some hoiho (yellow-eyed penguins) breed at Pōhatu, which boasts the largest little penguin colony on the mainland.
They can be seen clustered in the undergrowth of the surrounding hills, up to 700 meters from the shore, and swimming in the bay in large coordinated groups. The outer reserve hosts a seal colony, and it is often visited by Hector’s dolphins and orcas, making the waters quite crowded on a good day.
The rocky shore platform around the edge of Flea Bay is rich with small animals and plants. Visitors who enjoy rockpooling will find a variety of crabs, shellfish, anemones, and seaweed. Albatrosses also cruise these waters and are most likely to be seen from the headlands.
Monitoring
We are conducting a rock lobster tagging project and need your help to learn about the movement patterns and growth rates of lobsters in the Pōhatu Marine Reserve area.
Research
The Iongairo project, a partnership between papatipu rūnanga, ECan, the University of Otago and DOC to create detailed seafloor habitat maps around Banks Peninsula. This work will improve our knowledge of the biodiversity across the southern side of Banks Peninsula so we can protect these special areas.
No dogs allowed
To protect our native wildlife, dogs are not allowed anywhere in this place.
Protect our marine reserves
- No fishing of any kind.
- Don't take or kill marine life.
- Don't remove or disturb any marine life or materials.
- Don't feed fish - it disturbs their natural behaviour.
- Take care when anchoring to avoid damaging the sea floor.
Contacts
| Arthur's Pass National Park Visitor Centre | |
|---|---|
| Phone | +64 3 318 9211 |
| arthurspassvc@doc.govt.nz | |
| Address | 104 West Coast Road Arthur's Pass 7654 |
| Hours | Visitor centre hours and services |