Beach & bay

Waikawa Bay

The next bay north of Picton, home to Waikawa Marina and the Te Ātiawa community that moved here in 1850.

Photo: Thomas Berwing / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Reached on foot by the Picton–Waikawa Track (3.5 km, Easy) or by Waikawa Road. The marina is the departure point for several fishing and sailing charters.

Beach
Free
On the water
No car needed

Show on the Picton map Open in OpenStreetMap Directions

At a glance

Cost: Free
Getting there: On foot via the Picton–Waikawa Track, or by road
Facilities: Waikawa Marina
Swimming: Not stated by any source

Waikawa Bay at dusk from the foreshore, with anchored boats and Waikawa Marina across the water. — Waikawa Bay at dusk from the foreshore, with anchored boats and Waikawa Marina across the water. Ann Woolliams / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

About Waikawa Bay

Waikawa is where Te Ātiawa shifted when the Waitohi site was sold in 1850, and today it is effectively Picton's northern suburb, wrapped around a large marina. It is the far end of the Picton–Waikawa Track and the base for Compass Charters' yachts, Reel Therapy and Katabatic's fishing charters, and Waikawa Dive Centre.

Photographs

Waikawa settlement and shoreline with a jetty and yachts moored in the bay. — Waikawa settlement and shoreline with a jetty and yachts moored in the bay. Sid Mosdell / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

Yachts and launches moored at Waikawa Marina — Waikawa Marina, a few minutes north of the town centre. W. Bulach / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Looking down on Waikawa Bay and its marina from the Snout track — Waikawa Bay, photographed from the Snout track above it. Sid Mosdell / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

Waikawa Bay with the Snout headland reaching out into the sound — Waikawa Bay and the long ridge of The Snout / Te Ihu Moeone. Krzysztof Golik / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

A reef heron standing at the water's edge in Waikawa Bay — A reef heron at Waikawa Bay. Sid Mosdell / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

Moored yachts and boats in mist on still water — A winter morning at Waikawa Bay, July 2012. Sid Mosdell from New Zealand / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

Sources for this page

Location: OpenStreetMap contributors via Nominatim (Waikawa Bay; feature).

Facts on this page were checked against the sources listed on 5 September 2026.

Something wrong or out of date? Tell us.

Nearby

Straight-line distances from Waikawa Bay.

The Snout's shoreline lookout clearing, picnic table and two walkers, seen across the water from the south.

The Snout Track

The classic Picton walk: along the headland between the two marinas to a lookout, then on to the point.

1.5 hrs – half a dayModerateFree1 km away

Yachts and launches moored at Waikawa Marina

Picton to Waikawa Track

The easy, dog-friendly walk between Picton and the next bay.

45 min – 1.5 hrsEasyFree1 km away

Karaka Point lookout with its carved pou, native vegetation and a wide view across Queen Charlotte Sound.

Karaka Point Historic Reserve

A headland lookout beyond the Snout on the road to Whatamango Bay.

15 min – 1 hrShort driveFree1.7 km away

Wide view across Whatamango Bay toward its forested hills and shoreline homes under a blue sky.

Whatamango Bay

A DOC campsite bay 10 km east of Picton on Port Underwood Road — about 15 minutes from the ferry.

1 hr – half a dayDrive2.2 km away

Eat nearby

Galley Cafe

Cafe · Lunch · Dinner · Waikawa Marina, 12 Te Ara Kaimoana, Waikawa, Picton 7220 · 1.2 km

Jolly Roger Bar & Restaurant

Pub · Lunch · Dinner · 43 Beach Road, Waikawa Bay, Picton 7220 (Waikawa Marina) · 1.2 km

Hours and menus live on pictonrestaurants.co.nz, which shares our venue data.