Whatamango Bay, Picton

A basic, conservation-style DOC campsite on a quiet bay reached by a sealed, narrow, winding road. Fishing, walking and boating; stream water only, and pack out your rubbish.

Beach
Camping
On the water

Show on the Picton map Open in OpenStreetMap Directions

At a glance

Distance: 10 km from Picton, heading east past Waikawa on Port Underwood Road; roughly 15 minutes from the ferry terminal (DOC)
Cost: DOC campsite fees apply for camping
Facilities: Basic DOC campsite: stream water only, no rubbish collection
Swimming: Not stated by DOC
Road: Sealed, narrow and winding
Camping: DOC campsite, bookable (DOC listed bookings open to 30 June 2027 when we checked)

Closer view across Whatamango Bay to the wooded slopes, shoreline and prominent hill behind the bay. Krzysztof Golik / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

About Whatamango Bay

Whatamango is the nearest DOC campsite to Picton — DOC gives it as roughly 15 minutes from the ferry terminal, which makes it useful for an early sailing or a late arrival. It is a basic site (stream water, take your rubbish with you) on a sheltered bay; DOC lists fishing, walking and boating in general terms, but publishes no formal track here. The road in is sealed but narrow and winding.

Know before you go

DOC's page carries a weather-damage road warning for this area: check Marlborough District Council road alerts before driving Port Underwood Road.
Basic campsite: no drinking water supply, no rubbish collection.
Road access only.