Last updated October 2026
Marfells Beach is a DOC reserve and campsite on Clifford Bay, south of Lake Grassmere, about 40 km south of Blenheim off State Highway 1. Anglers fish from the shore or launch small boats from the beach, and the campsite has fish cleaning stations.
Kahawai are common along this coast and flounder are common in Clifford Bay. The beach sits at the northern end of the Kaikōura earthquake pāua area, so this is a spot for line fishing, not gathering.
At a Glance
- Location
- Clifford Bay, end of Marfells Beach Road, off SH1 40 km south of Blenheim and 13 km north of Ward
- Type
- Open coast beach, mostly sand with a rocky intertidal zone
- Water
- Clifford Bay, open to Cook Strait (sea)
- Main species
- Kahawai; flounder in Clifford Bay
- Suits
- Campers and shore anglers who are happy with a windswept open beach
- Camping
- DOC Standard campsite, toilets and cold showers, book online
- Dogs
- Not in the campground; on a leash on the beach, and not beyond Mussel Point
- Tide port
- Cape Campbell (LINZ secondary port, from Wellington)
- Rules
- MPI Challenger; no licence needed for sea fishing. Pāua closure area starts on this beach
- Cost
- Free to fish; campsite fees apply
- High about 12:54 am
- Low about 7:06 am
- High about 1:20 pm
- Low about 7:43 pm
Best times today: around 12:54 am, 7:06 am, 1:20 pm and 7:43 pm (2 hours either side of each tide change), and around 8:17 am and 8:40 pm (moon overhead and underfoot).
Moving water around the tide changes usually fishes best. Full 7-day Blenheim tides ›
Tide predictions: LINZ (CC BY 3.0 NZ), adjusted from Wellington using LINZ secondary port offsets. Predictions only; actual tides vary with weather.
Setting and Background
Marfells Beach faces east across Clifford Bay, with Cape Campbell and its lighthouse to the south. The beach is mostly sand with a rocky intertidal zone, and it is windswept. DOC manages it as a coastal reserve with a campsite behind the beach.
You can follow the shore south to Mussel Point, about 2 km from the campsite, and on to Cape Campbell, roughly another 4 km. Before the November 2016 Kaikōura earthquake that walk had to be timed with low tide.
The uplift has made it less dependent on the tide, but check the weather before you set out. DOC’s Marfells Beach and Cape Campbell route starts at the campsite.
The coast from Marfells Beach to Chancet Rocks is a sensitive area for birds, lizards and seals. Shorebirds are often seen, and New Zealand fur seals sometimes haul out on the rocks, so give them plenty of room.
The 2016 earthquake also changed the rules for gathering here. MPI’s pāua closure area for the Kaikōura coast starts on Marfells Beach and runs south to the Conway River, and bull kelp is closed to everyone in that area.
How to Fish Marfells Beach
Where and when
Fish from the beach in front of the campsite or walk along the shore toward Mussel Point to find a quieter stretch. DOC lists fishing from the shore or from a boat here. This is an exposed beach, so pick a day when the wind and swell have eased. Moving water around the tide changes usually fishes better.
What to catch and what to use
- Kahawai: common along Marlborough’s east coast. On this coast they are mostly caught on spinning lures.
- Flounder: common in Clifford Bay and the nearby Wairau Lagoons.
- Local knowledge: ask at a Blenheim tackle shop what has been caught recently on the Clifford Bay beaches before you go.
Cleaning your catch
The campsite rules say to clean fish only at the fish cleaning stations, and to take fish waste back out to sea or bury it deep below the high tide mark.
Getting There and Facilities
- Road: turn off SH1 40 km south of Blenheim onto Marfells Beach Road and follow it about 8 km along the south side of Lake Grassmere. It is mostly sealed with a short unsealed section and a short, steep descent to a bridge. Long vehicles can get through with care.
- Road damage: DOC warns that severe weather has damaged roads in Marlborough and Kaikōura. Check the Marlborough District Council road alerts before you travel.
- Camping: a DOC Standard campsite for up to 195 people, with toilets and cold showers. When we checked in October 2026 DOC listed fees of $15 a night for adults, $7.50 for children aged 5 to 17 and free for under 5s, and the DOC Campsite Pass can be used. Book online; no spaces are held for people who turn up without a booking.
- Day visitors: visitors who are not booked use the visitor parking and must leave by 8pm.
- Boats: small boats are launched from the beach. Space for boats and trailers in the camp is limited, so ask the camp host.
- Rubbish: pack in, pack out. The nearest transfer station is at Seddon.
- Fires: no open fires or fireworks at any time. Gas cookers only.
- Summer: DOC warns of large numbers of ants in summer. Keep food and rubbish sealed.
Rules and Safety
- Fishing rules: Marfells Beach is in MPI’s Challenger area. No licence is needed for sea fishing, but Challenger size and daily limits apply. Check them in the NZ Fishing Rules app before you keep fish.
- Pāua and kelp: MPI’s Kaikōura earthquake closure area starts on Marfells Beach and runs south to the Conway River, out to 4 nautical miles. Recreational pāua are closed from 1 September to 30 April each year, and bull kelp is closed to everyone. Check MPI’s Challenger rules page before you take any shellfish or seaweed.
- Set nets: set netting is banned along this coast, including Clifford Bay and Cape Campbell.
- Dogs: not in the campground. On the beach they must be on a leash, and not beyond Mussel Point.
- Wildlife: give seals and nesting shorebirds plenty of room. Drones are not allowed over DOC land or the campsite.
- Weather and sea: the beach is exposed and windswept. Check the MetService marine forecast for Cook Strait and stay well back from the water when a swell is running.
- Children: DOC asks that young children are supervised at all times.
Official Sources for Marfells Beach
DOC: Marfells Beach Campsite: bookings, fees, facilities, dogs and the road in.
MPI Challenger fishing rules: limits, the set net ban and the Marfells Beach to Conway River pāua closure.
Common Questions
Where is Marfells Beach?
On Clifford Bay in south Marlborough, at the end of Marfells Beach Road. The turn-off from SH1 is 40 km south of Blenheim and 13 km north of Ward.
What can you catch at Marfells Beach?
Kahawai are common along this coast, and flounder are common in Clifford Bay. Ask at a Blenheim tackle shop for what has been caught recently.
Do I need a licence to fish at Marfells Beach?
No. You do not need a licence for sea fishing, but MPI’s Challenger size and daily limits apply.
Can I take pāua at Marfells Beach?
MPI’s Kaikōura earthquake pāua closure area starts on Marfells Beach. Pāua are closed from 1 September to 30 April each year. Check MPI’s Challenger rules page before you take anything.
Can I camp at Marfells Beach?
Yes, at the DOC campsite behind the beach. It has toilets and cold showers, and you need to book online.
Can I bring my dog?
Not into the campground. Dogs are allowed on the beach on a leash, but not beyond Mussel Point.
Can I launch a boat at Marfells Beach?
Small boats are launched from the beach. Boat and trailer space in the camp is limited, so ask the camp host.
Is the road to Marfells Beach sealed?
Mostly. Marfells Beach Road has a short unsealed section and a short, steep descent to a bridge.
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