Ōamaru is home to plenty of other native marine animals. From seabirds patrolling the coastline to marine mammals lounging along the shore, there’s plenty to spot if you keep a lookout.
This seabird is endemic to Otago. Hundreds of these birds breed nearby on Sumpter Wharf. Often mistaken for penguins, there are two colour morphs, a pied and bronze. They build pedestal nests out of seaweed and guano. During the summer, watch closely, as you might see their brown, downy chicks in the nests.
These laid-back seals love to lounge on the rocks near the colony. They aren’t natural predators of the penguins – they prefer a diet of fish and squid!
These noisy, scavenging locals may be one of New Zealand’s lesser-appreciated native birds. Despite their apparent abundance, the red-billed gull’s numbers are in marked decline.
Occasionally seen in Ōamaru in their hundreds. These striking birds are distinguishable by the black cap on their head, white chests, and grey bodies.
An endangered species, these beloved native dolphins are the smallest and rarest dolphin in the world. They are only found in New Zealand and occasionally you can spot them in the waters around Ōamaru.
A large seabird commonly found in the Otago area. They nest in colonies on cliffs and roost on wharves. They can often be seen flying low over the water or diving for fish around Ōamaru.
These large mammals are seen here less frequently, as they usually prefer to hang out at the beach (who would blame them!). They have a broader, less pointy nose compared to the fur seals and the younger animals, that we normally see near the colony, are lighter in colour. They are endemic to New Zealand with only around 10,000 of them left.
We use cookies to understand how visitors use our website, which helps us improve your experience.
For more details, please read our Privacy policy.