Things to do on the Tutukaka coast
Northland, New Zealand
Photo: © Ollie Brooks
The Tutukaka Coast is one of New Zealand’s great coastal destinations — home to The Petrel Station seabird tours, the Poor Knights Islands, exceptional diving and snorkelling, stunning beaches, and an excellent range of wildlife and outdoor experiences.
A world-class coastal destination in Northland
Located around 2.5 hours north of Auckland, the Tutukaka Coast is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Northland region and offers some outstanding wildlife, birdwatching, scenic and marine experiences.
Tutukaka is the departure point for The Petrel Station seabird tours, which are world-renowned as one of the best wildlife and birdwatching experiences in New Zealand, and one of the most memorable things to do on the Tutukaka Coast. Along with our seabird tours there’s also the opportunity for world-class diving and snorkelling, stunning golden beaches, excellent fishing, and many other activities and things to do that make this part of Northland such a special place to explore.
And if you want one of the most distinctive wildlife experiences on the coast, join The Petrel Station seabird tours for a remarkable day offshore.
The Poor Knights Islands: seabirds above, marine life below
The nearby Poor Knights Islands are a big part of what makes this coastline so special. Above the water, they are a major seabird breeding area, supporting huge colonies of seabirds. Below the water, the surrounding marine reserve is world-famous for its rich marine life and healthy fish populations, making the islands one of New Zealand’s great diving and snorkelling destinations.
These same protected islands and productive surrounding waters help drive the remarkable seabird activity seen offshore from Tutukaka: the spectacular seabird feeding workup activity, as well as contributing to the incredible seabird diversity that The Petrel Station seabird tours are known for.
Other things to do on the Tutukaka Coast
Beyond our seabird tours the Tutukaka Coast has plenty of other activities, tourist attractions and things to do.
Highlights include:
Exploring beautiful golden sand beaches such as Matapouri Bay and Whale Bay, which are some of the nicest beaches anywhere in New Zealand
World-class diving and snorkelling at the Poor Knights Islands
Incredible fishing opportunities
Excellent surfing spots
Bush and coastal walking tracks
Local shops and art galleries
Relaxing in one of New Zealand’s most scenic coastal settings
This makes the Tutukaka Coast a very easy place to stay for a longer holiday.
Local birding opportunities
While the seabirds out on The Petrel Station seabird tours are the main draw for many birdwatching and wildlife visitors to Tutukaka, there are also some great specialty local land bird species and birding locations to check out around the Tutukaka Coast and nearby areas. You can find out more about them on our Local Land Birds page.
Where to stay
If you’re coming on one of The Petrel Station seabird tours there are two super convenient places to stay in Tutukaka, both close to the Tutukaka Marina where our tours depart from.
Tutukaka Holiday Park has options for cabins, tents and caravans and is the most economical option in the area. www.tutukaka-holidaypark.co.nz
Ocean’s Hotel is a more upmarket option if you’re wanting a bit more luxury in your accommodation. www.oceansresorthotel.co.nz
There are also other motels, holiday houses, and Airbnb-style accommodation options in the wider Tutukaka / Ngunguru area.
If you are booking accommodation around a seabird tour date, it is worth checking the accommodation cancellation policies in case a tour needs to be cancelled for weather or other reasons. Often accommodation providers only need a day or two of notice, but some may require longer.
Where to eat
RESTAURANTS / CAFE
There are several restaurants in Tutukaka catering to a range of price options. Marina Woodfired Pizza (delicious), The Gamefishing Club, Schnappa Rock and Mara. There’s also a cafe in Ngunguru.
TAKEAWAYS
Takeaways on the coast include a fish & chip shop, and a pizza shop in the Ngunguru village.
CONVENIENCE STORES
There are local dairy (convenience) stores in both Tutukaka and Ngunguru – usually open about 7.30am and shut by 7pm (though times may differ depending on the season). Please note these times if you’re planning to pick up supplies for the day out on the boat.
Experience these stunning seabirds for yourself
Join The Petrel Station seabird tours for a memorable day offshore among New Zealand’s extraordinary seabird life.