Waipapa Point Paua Shell Southland New Zealand
Photo & Vacation Spot

Low tide at Waipapa Point in Southland, New Zealand leaves behind a Paua Shell resting quietly on the sandy beach, where it will await the return of the water.

At low tide at Waipapa Point along the Catlin's Highway in Southland, New Zealand, a Paua Shell has been left behind on the sandy beach. This shell is filled with stunning colors after the lime is sanded off and hours of buffing, every minute worth it when seeing the finished product.

The Paua Shell is a very unique type of shell found along the New Zealand coastline and tourists should leave them to rest on the sandy beach at Waipapa Point as a Paua may still be alive inside. A Paua is a large sea snail found in shallow coastal regions in depths of 1 to 15 meters and as the tide comes in or goes out, the Paua will try to outlast the tidal surges by clinging to the rocks where they feed on seaweed.

Waipapa Point is a tranquil area along the Southern Scenic Route where one can walk for miles at low tide along the sandy beach and over or around the jagged rocks. The scenery is picturesque, the sounds of nature can be clearly heard, the air is clean and crisp and one never knows what they can find while exploring the beach.

For those looking to have a Paua Shell as a souvenir when visiting Southland, New Zealand, a trip to the Paua Shell Factory in New Zealand is in order. Here a magnificent display of already buffed and cleaned shells are on display and have been properly selected from different areas.

Paua Shell on the beach at Waipapa Point in the Catlins along the Catlin's Highway, Southern Scenic Route, Southland, South Island, East Coast, New Zealand.