Cable Bay is a sheltered bay about 20 km north-east of Nelson. Its pebble beach is also the causeway to Pepin Island, and the bay is a great base for swimming, snorkelling, kayaking and the Cable Bay Walkway.
The water at Cable Bay is suitable for swimming, but it can be a bit tricky to get in and out at high tide if there's some swell. We prefer low to mid tide, when more of the sandy patches are exposed. Cable Bay is also a great spot for snorkelling, with the adjacent Horoirangi Marine Reserve and its reef stretching between Cable Bay and Glenduan, where the Boulder Bank begins.
If you have a kayak, explore the coastline around Pepin Island and discover the caves and secluded bays, which also make a great base for snorkelling. On your way you'll meet some local birdlife, and if you're lucky you might even spot seals or dolphins. When the tide is right you can also explore some small caves along the way with your kayak.
The start (or end) of the Cable Bay Walkway is at the beginning of the beach. The walkway has fantastic coastal views over Tasman Bay and runs over the hills between Cable Bay and Glenduan, track length and walking time is about 3-4 hours one way. Parts of the track cross private farmland and it is closed during the lambing season which usually is around 1 August to 10 October - but those dates can change depending on the farm.
The bay was named Cable Bay because New Zealand's first overseas telegraph cable link to Australia started here. It went into service at the end of the 19th century and was in use for 38 years. These days a fibre-optic cable leaves Cable Bay to connect with the North Island.
On the far end of the beach is a boat ramp and a popular area for having a picnic.
The Cable Bay Cafe is a popular meeting point with locals. They're famous for their freshly baked sourdough bagels, offer a great caffeine fix and local beer on tap.
If you want to stay a bit longer in Cable Bay, campground and cabin accommodation is available most time of the year.
