Last updated October 2026
Kaka Point is a small seaside village at the northern edge of the Catlins, in Clutha District, about an hour and a quarter’s drive south of Dunedin. Its beach is a surf beach: Clutha NZ describes a beach break with rocky points and several peaks, with both rights and lefts, and calls the wave punchy and powerful.
The Kaka Point Surf Life Saving Club is based on the Esplanade, right on the beachfront. The village is also the gateway to Nugget Point, where a short walk leads to the lighthouse and a hide at Roaring Bay is used to watch yellow-eyed penguins come ashore. Treat the surf with respect, and swim between the flags when lifeguards are on duty.
Surf Facts
Surf today at Kaka Point
Today at Kaka Point
Thursday 29 OctoberSurf break at Kaka Point
Practical Information
- Location
- Kaka Point, Clutha District, Otago; 14 km south of Balclutha at the northern edge of the Catlins
- From Dunedin
- About 1 hour 15 minutes by car (Clutha NZ)
- Getting there
- In Balclutha, turn off SH1 onto the Owaka Highway, then turn into Kaka Point Road, which becomes Esplanade Road in the village
- Surf
- Beach break with rocky points; several peaks with rights and lefts (Clutha NZ)
- Lifeguards
- Kaka Point Surf Life Saving Club, 25 Esplanade; check its Surf Life Saving New Zealand page for patrol hours
- Facilities
- Public toilets south of the surf lifesaving clubrooms; Catlins NZ also lists changing sheds, seaside picnic areas, a children’s playground and a general store
- Dogs
- Banned between the “no dog” signs, from the rocks at the northern end of the beach to the public toilets south of the surf club
- Nearby
- Nugget Point lighthouse, about 15 minutes’ drive along the coast road; Kaka Point Bush Walk behind the village
- Cost
- Free
About Kaka Point
Kaka Point sits 14 km south of Balclutha and 8 km north of the headland of Nugget Point, according to the Clutha District Council’s heritage archive. It is a crib settlement: many of the houses are holiday homes, so the population rises and falls with the seasons.
Clutha NZ says the village is named after the kākā, New Zealand’s large brown bush parrot, and the regional tourism body and DOC now spell it Kākā Point, while the district council uses Kaka Point.
The settlement’s best-known resident was the Māori poet Hone Tuwhare, who lived at Kaka Point for many years until his death in 2008. Clutha NZ notes he spent much of his life in a beachside crib here.
The beach runs along the front of the village. The surf lifesaving clubrooms are at 25 Esplanade, with public toilets to the south of them.
Catlins NZ lists a general store, a restaurant and bar, a community hall and craft galleries in the village, and accommodation ranges from a camping ground and motels to holiday houses and B&Bs, according to Clutha NZ.
Behind the houses, the Kaka Point Scenic Reserve protects a pocket of mature native podocarp forest. DOC’s Kākā Point Bush Walk is a 1.6 km loop of 40–50 minutes through it, suitable for the whole family. It starts behind the camping ground, with entrances off Rata Street, Totara Street and Marine Terrace and parking for a couple of cars at each, and dogs are allowed on a leash.
Surfing at Kaka Point
Clutha NZ, the district’s tourism organisation, lists Kaka Point for surfers from beginner to expert and describes it as a beach break with rocky points, with several peaks to choose from and both right and left handers. It also warns that the wave is punchy and powerful.
Southland NZ says Kaka Point offers several breaks and is a great place to start a surf trip through the Catlins.
A little further along the coast road, Clutha NZ also describes Nugget Point as a fairly consistent and sheltered beach break with some rocky points and several peaks.
Southland NZ notes that the exposed Catlins coastline sees some of the country’s largest ocean swells, and Clutha NZ advises packing plenty of rubber to protect you from the cold southern seas. The Surf Facts box on this page shows the break’s direction, swell window and offshore wind.
Swimming and Beach Safety
Surf Life Saving New Zealand lists the Kaka Point Surf Life Saving Club at 25 Esplanade, and links its patrol hours from the club page. Check them before you go.
Surf Life Saving New Zealand’s advice is to always swim between the red and yellow flags, which show the safest place to swim, and to stay out of the water if in doubt, because dangerous rip currents are hard to spot.
Keep children within arm’s reach. If someone is in trouble and you cannot see surf lifeguards, call 111 and ask for police.
Fur seals and sea lions are seen along this coast. Clutha District Council asks people to keep at least 20 metres away from fur seals and sea lions, and its bylaw requires dogs to be on a leash within 20 metres of wildlife.
Nugget Point / Tokatā and Roaring Bay
From Kaka Point, DOC says to carry on along the coast road to the top Kaimātaitai carpark for the Nugget Point/Tokata Walk, a well-maintained 10–20 minute return path to a viewing platform beside the lighthouse.
Several seabird species nest on the rock stacks, including royal spoonbills, and New Zealand fur seals (kekeno) breed here. In summer the sea can be covered in large flocks of sooty shearwater (tītī). DOC describes it as a treasured site for Kāi Tahu. Toilets, a viewing site and a picnic area are nearby.
Maritime New Zealand says the Nugget Point lighthouse was first lit in 1870 and is a 9-metre stone tower standing 76 metres above sea level. It was automated in 1989, when the last keeper left. You can walk to it from the road end, but the lighthouse is not open to visitors.
The Roaring Bay carpark is 800 m before the main carpark on the same road. From the hide there, yellow-eyed penguins (hoiho) can be seen coming ashore in the late afternoon; to avoid disturbing them, DOC asks visitors not to go down to the beach after 3 pm.
Sea lions (pakake) are sometimes seen on the beach. Both carparks have toilets. Dogs are not allowed on the Nugget Point walks, and drones are banned.
Where to Learn More
Clutha NZ: Surfing in the Clutha District: descriptions and skill levels for Kaka Point, Nugget Point and the other Catlins breaks.
Surf Life Saving New Zealand: Kaka Point SLSC: club contact details and the link to patrol hours at Kaka Point.
DOC: Nugget Point/Tokata walks: directions, walk times and wildlife rules for the lighthouse walk and the Roaring Bay penguin hide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kaka Point good for surfing?
Clutha NZ describes Kaka Point as a beach break with rocky points and several peaks, with both rights and lefts, and says the wave is punchy and powerful. Southland NZ says it offers several breaks.
Can beginners surf at Kaka Point?
Clutha NZ lists Kaka Point for surfers from beginner to expert, but it also calls the wave punchy and powerful. If you are new to surfing, check the conditions and whether lifeguards are on patrol before you paddle out.
Is Kaka Point Beach patrolled?
The Kaka Point Surf Life Saving Club is based at 25 Esplanade. Its Surf Life Saving New Zealand page links to the patrol hours, so check them before you swim, and swim between the red and yellow flags when lifeguards are on duty.
How far is Kaka Point from Dunedin?
Clutha NZ gives the drive from Dunedin as about 1 hour 15 minutes. Kaka Point is 14 km south of Balclutha, reached by the Owaka Highway and Kaka Point Road.
Can I take my dog to Kaka Point Beach?
Not on the main beach. Clutha District Council bans dogs between the “no dog” signs, from the rocks at the northern end of the beach to the public toilets south of the surf lifesaving clubrooms, and on the beach from the Nuggets Fishing Camp breakwater at Tirohanga south to the Nuggets Lighthouse Reserve. Dogs are allowed on a leash on the Kaka Point Bush Walk but not on the Nugget Point walks.
How far is Nugget Point from Kaka Point?
Clutha NZ puts the Nugget Point lighthouse about 15 minutes’ drive from Kaka Point along the coast road. From the top carpark, the walk to the viewing platform takes 10–20 minutes return.
Where can I see yellow-eyed penguins near Kaka Point?
At the Roaring Bay hide, 800 m before the main Nugget Point carpark. Penguins come ashore in the late afternoon; DOC asks visitors to stay off the beach after 3 pm and watch from the hide.
Are there walks at Kaka Point?
Yes. The Kaka Point Bush Walk is a 1.6 km loop of 40–50 minutes through native podocarp forest behind the village, with entrances off Rata Street, Totara Street and Marine Terrace.
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