Surat Bay Lodge by the Sea/Backpackers Hostel

What a wonderful stay with Ester and Jack at the lodge. Peaceful and quiet. Sea Lions were in the area. Made an ideal base for our trips around the Catlins. Nice and clean , I’ll be back to stay again.

Most amazing owners. Most amazing place. Has a coffee cart on-site. Close to beach. Short walk to cannibal bay. The owners are friendly. Jim who is a truly John.. older friendly man who is so lovely. Ester who is from the Phillipines I'd a crazy ,wild short, funny lady who is always having you on. We made frirnds instantly. Rooms, tent sites etc. Free range eggs. Great advice. Big living area, kitchen. Etc. Full with utensils stocked. I highly recommend just to meet Ester! Plus she has a coffee cart! Ppl walk from all areas to get a coffee from her.

I loved our stay at Surate Bay Lodge, it was an absolute gem during our time in the Catlins and a highlight of our South Island holiday. Quirky accommodation right on the edge of a wild and woolley stretch of coast. A short stroll through the back garden takes you onto the waters edge of an inlet and after a couple of minutes walk along the beach we discovered slumbering sea lions. Loved it. Will remember Ester's friendly welcome, her 22 girls (hens), coffee cart with transistor radio at the gate. The lodge was clean and had a lovely homely atmosphere. Kitchen and lounge nice cosy spaces to relax in with views out to the inlet and surf beyond. Free range eggs were lovely. Would definitely stay again. Sue and Lisa

Nice comfortable bed,room had amazing view of beach .lodge was very clean & tidy . Host very friendly .

Gorgeous views from the corner room. The host was considerate, funny, and lovely. It was quiet and we were warm and comfortable. So many wonderful places to explore in the Catlins including the bay right outside! Thank you

We had a pleasant three-day stay in November, with only about half the rooms occupied. The place is right on the water, with some wonderful outdoor seating to watch the tide come in and out. Day one a juvenile sea lion snoozed 30 meters from the picnic table! The place is a little worn, but comfortable and completely fair for the price. Water pressure good, wifi fine, communal kitchen has most things but a little small if the place is busy. (there are two stoves and two sinks though) Owners were wonderful, and very friendly and knowledgeable about the area. We saw a yellow eyed penguin thanks to their tip! There is a nice beach walk right off the property. We saw several sea lions every time we walked to the next cliff, about 40 minutes away. (Just past the Triplets) Town is a short drive, and has a great Four Square.

Great site and lovely charming people, a great place to stay.

We enjoyed another lovely stay at Surat Bay Lodge with Esther & Jack, who warmly welcomed us and our children back. Our boys loved helping to feed the chickens again, trying their hands at fishing and eating some of what Dad had caught fresh off the on-site BBQ. And I got to see a big sea lion bull waddle all the way up the beach on one of my walks. Feels like a return to our own beach bach.

Schöne Lage am Wasser mit der Möglichkeit Seelöwen zu sehen, gutes Zimmer, sehr sauber, umfangreiche Küche Ausstattung. Sehr nette und hilfsbereite Gastgeberin. Vielen Dank, wir haben unseren Aufenthalt sehr genossen!