Box of Light is made possible thanks to these visionaries:
I have to pinch myself most times I'm in the Catlins. Is this place even real? Or some type of dimension accessed only through the portal of Owaka, or the equally quirky Curio Bay on the other side? It's like a forgotten world. An edge of the world outpost that most will never get to experience. But for those in the know this is a wild, sparsely populated place that is an absolute wave haven.
Few trips here come up empty handed. When the weather's at its worst then the beaches of the Catlins come to life – the convoluted coastline curating more world-class line-ups than most will ever know. And it's the playground of the big wave and slab surfers, too. Bring your brave.
In the summer months, it's a buzzy, camping nirvana as people reconnect with sand in their sleeping bags, campfire smoke in their eyes and laughter illuminated by nothing but the lick of flames.
Life dosen't get much better than a Catlins sojourn in search of surf.
See you around the campfire ... Derek
PS Our friends at Esplanade Surf School have opened a coffee shop in the dolphin kiosk at the surf club at Warrington Beach. It's open daily 8am-2pm, drop down for your fix. The surf school runs from 8am till late, so book in for a lesson at what is one of Dunedin's best beaches for learning to surf. You'll be Catlins-ready in no time.
Box of Light is made possible thanks to these visionaries: