Wharariki Beach, 2023

It's one of New Zealand's iconic scenes, enormous sea stacks just off shore, caves, arches, pools, seals, seascapes, and all the rest. We visited in 2014, but wanted to do it again. Low-tide was at 6:17PM, which, together with changing weather, made for a short visit. But we did it, arriving at Puponga around 5:30 and getting suited-up and on the trail shortly thereafter.

Iconic especially if you use this Windows wallpaper; we do

Access is via the Puponga Farm, guarded by numerous sheep and
cattle (not pictured)

When we were there in 2014, there was a gale blowing in from Cook
Strait, and we were sand-blasted for 20 minutes crossing the dunes;
so this year we donned our rain-suits; of course, the dunes and beach
turned out to be relatively calm this day

Crossing the dunes

Now, we have uncharacteristically divided forces, I exploring
a nearer, larger cave, Vicki exploring on the other side of the stack

I encountered this yearling seal, and, from a respectful distance,
video'd his long walk down to the sea; to be posted on my YouTube
channel some day

Vicki exploring a big spooky cave on the other side

Ceiling

More spooky caves, some too wet for us to explore

The surf, in the 10-15 foot range, not that far
away

Ever more caves

Looking back at the dunes

Fearless low-tide marine spelunker

We are at the south end of the beach, now walking north toward
the big stacks (or maybe it was north walking south...); note gathering
storm

For the couple hours we were on the sizeable beach we saw only two
other parties

Looking back to the area we have come from

Mr./Ms. Seal continues his/her walk

The scene begins to unfold

The great arches appear

Iconic even as the storm approaches

I'm going to make this my new wallpaper

We viewed a few more caves

And arches

And caves

And then headed back to the holiday park...one of NZ's more remote

ones, but welcome nonetheless