Wildlife of Everywhere

Where to see the New Zealand Sea Lion

Phocarctos hookeri · mammal · Otariidae

New Zealand Sea Lion (Phocarctos hookeri) is recorded in 21 protected areas and wildlife sites across 1 country in our database. The places with the strongest evidence are Campbell Islands Nature Reserve (New Zealand), Moutere Ihupuku / Campbell Island Marine Reserve (New Zealand) and Ōrau Marine Reserve (New Zealand).

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New Zealand Sea Lion
Photo: Pseudopanax at English Wikipedia (Public domain)

Where is the best place to see the New Zealand Sea Lion?

Based on GBIF records and our guides, the best-documented places to see the New Zealand Sea Lion are Campbell Islands Nature Reserve (New Zealand), Moutere Ihupuku / Campbell Island Marine Reserve (New Zealand) and Ōrau Marine Reserve (New Zealand).

Top 21 places for the New Zealand Sea Lion

#PlaceCountryGBIF recordsYearsEvidence
1Campbell Islands Nature ReserveNew Zealand21,7071981–2025Recorded on GBIF
2Moutere Ihupuku / Campbell Island Marine ReserveNew Zealand21,2971981–2025Recorded on GBIF
3Ōrau Marine ReserveNew Zealand1312005–2026Recorded on GBIF
4Auckland Islands Marine Mammal SanctuaryNew Zealand971943–2026Recorded on GBIF
5Auckland Islands Nature ReserveNew Zealand971943–2026Recorded on GBIF
6Auckland Islands - Motu Maha Marine ReserveNew Zealand971943–2026Recorded on GBIF
7Allans Beach Recreation ReserveNew Zealand772007–2026Recorded on GBIF
8Aramoana Conservation AreaNew Zealand712013–2026Recorded on GBIF
9Rakiura National ParkNew Zealand432013–2026Recorded on GBIF
10Conservation Area - Stewart Island/Rakiura ForestNew Zealand––Reported by our guide
11Ulva Island - Te Wharawhara Marine ReserveNew Zealand352013–2026Recorded on GBIF
12False Islet Recreation ReserveNew Zealand192011–2026Recorded on GBIF
13Aramoana Recreation ReserveNew Zealand192016–2026Recorded on GBIF
14Catlins Coast Marine Mammal SanctuaryNew Zealand172011–2026Recorded on GBIF
15Surat Bay Scenic ReserveNew Zealand122011–2026Recorded on GBIF
16Hinewai ReserveNew Zealand82023–2025Recorded on GBIF
17Purakaunui Bay Scenic ReserveNew Zealand82015–2026Recorded on GBIF
18Snares Islands Nature ReserveNew Zealand71976–2024Recorded on GBIF
19Douglas & Trevor Murray Memorial Scenic ReserveNew Zealand62015–2026Recorded on GBIF
20Catlins Heads Recreation ReserveNew Zealand42023–2025Recorded on GBIF
21Nugget Point Lighthouse ReserveNew Zealand42006–2012Recorded on GBIF

In our guides

Read the full species account in our Australia guide, New Zealand guide.

Take it with you

Build a free printable field guide or e-book for any of these places, with photos and a checklist.

Make a field guide for Campbell Islands Nature Reserve

Photo: Pseudopanax at English Wikipedia, Public domain.

GBIF downloads: New Zealand.

Data last updated 2026-11-05. Species–place links come from GBIF occurrence downloads (GBIF.org) matched to protected-area boundaries from OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL) and other open boundary sources, plus places listed by our own guides. Record counts are what has been reported to GBIF, not population sizes. Reptiles and amphibians are never shown at park level. How this database works · Data sources and limits.