Epic Travel → Asia & the South Pacific → New Zealand → West Coast → Maori Sea Cave

Location: Punakaiki area, West Coast, New Zealand

Time Required: 30 minutes

Red Tape/Notes: None.

What’s Nearby?: Punakaiki Cavern, Pororari River Beach Outlet, Truman Track, Ballroom Overhang, Fox River Cave, Gibsons Beach Walk, Maruia Falls

If you’re passing through on SH 6 north of Punakaiki, you may notice these awesome sea caves on the coastal side of the road (particularly if you’re driving south). I literally said “whoa, what is that??” They’re almost directly across the road from the Inland Pack Track parking area, and are pretty cool. Park along the road and make your way safety to the footpath on the coast side of the highway just south of the bridge. A public access foot path leads through a hedge and past the private cabins to the cave opening. It’s huge inside, with two large openings onto the water. This cave is apparently actually called Te Ana O Matuka, and it was used as a shelter for early Maori travelers. And it’s a pretty great shelter, even by today’s standard. There’s a “danger, enter at your own risk” sort of sign at the mouth of the cave, but no closure signs and there didn’t appear to be anything particularly dangerous, so we’d definitely recommend a stop.

Epic Travel → Asia & the South Pacific → New Zealand → West Coast → Maori Sea Cave