Things to do

Wildlife

Explore this remote region and discover the huge variety of wildlife that frequents at French Pass.

One of the world’s rarest seabirds, the king shag, is found only in the outer Marlborough Sounds including the French Pass area.

Blue penguins, gannets, white fronted terns, petrels, mollymawks and shearwaters can all be seen in these semi-sheltered waters. While kaka, bellbird, tui, bush robin, pigeon and yellow crowned parakeet may be spotted in the bush.

The rapid, swirling waters of French Pass are a gateway for marine mammals to venture into the Sounds. Four species of dolphins – bottlenose, dusky, common and orca – travel through French Pass; whales occasionally visit and the NZ fur seal can be seen year round.

On the Water

Whatever you enjoy doing on the water, French Pass is a great launching place for water activities.

Bring your own kayak or Lyn is happy to arrange a scenic/wildlife tour or fishing trip with a local boat operator.

Walks & Treks
Spectacular coastal tracks for walking

  • D’Urville Island Loop

    4-5 hours

    A water taxi drops you off at Kapowai and picks you up at the end of the day at the Wilderness Café in Catherine Cove. Once there you can do some short coastal walks to two small waterfalls, have a meal and a well-deserved cold drink.

  • French Pass Reserve

    Several short walks go through the reserve to two lookouts and a small beach. There are great views of the turbulent French Pass channel and keep an eye out for little blue penguins, king shags and dolphins. The beach walk takes you down to a small golden beach where you can swim, sun-bathe and fish.

  • French Pass Sunset

    A short walk up the road in the evening will take you to grassland where you can toast the sun as it sets over D’Urville Island and Tasman Bay. Views at this time of evening are stunning with the warm glow of the golden hour and seascape making it ideal for photography. (Recommended with a blanket and a bottle of wine.)

  • French Pass Lookout

    Information panels tell the story of the famous white dolphin Pelorus Jack (Kaikaiawaro), who accompanied boats across Admiralty Bay from 1888-1912. This special dolphin is now honoured by a handsome bronze sculpture at the lookout. If you take an early morning walk you’ll hear the dawn chorus thanks to the efforts of the local community to look after the native bush habitat.

  • Elaine Bay

    A 35-minute drive will take you to Elaine Bay where there are two coastal walks and mountain biking tracks. The Piwakawaka (Fantail) Track is an easy walk through coastal vegetation. 2 hours return. The second is the Archer Track, a scenic coastal walk 2-3 hours one-way.

  • Cissy Bay


    A track starting at the end of the road through Cissy Bay takes you along the coast and through native bush to a lookout dedicated to local community nurse Peggy Young. This is delightful short walk with birds and expansive views of the bay.