Counting the wavesβ¦
Counting the wavesβ¦
You arrive by dinghy or sea kayak, nudging past kelp beds into a pocket of beach no wider than a tennis court. The sand here is coarse, flecked with shell fragments and the occasional pΔua shell worn smooth by the Foveaux Strait currents. Overhead, the canopy forms a ragged green hemβnative bush so dense it muffles even the wind. Paterson Inlet stretches behind you, a drowned river valley webbed with bays and islets. The water tastes faintly of tannin leached from the surrounding podocarp forest, staining it amber in the shallows. At low tide, granite boulders emerge like the backs of sleeping seals, draped in Neptune's necklace and bladderwrack that pops underfoot. There are no facilities, no footprints save your own and the three-toed tracks of weka fossicking along the wrack line. You might stay an hour or anchor overnight, lulled by the tide's metronome and the distant boom of surf on the outer coast. When you push off, the cove folds back into anonymity, indistinguishable from a dozen other nameless bights until you consult your chart again.
Places, rentals, tours and events within walking and driving distance of Little Glory Cove.
Photos
Little Glory Cove offers more sheltered conditions than Stewart Island's ocean-facing beaches due to its location within Paterson Inlet. However, water temperatures remain cold year-round, and there are no lifeguards or rescue services. Swimming safety depends on weather conditions and your cold-water tolerance. The cove's protected nature makes it calmer than exposed beaches, but caution is always advised. Most visitors enjoy the cove for kayaking, wildlife viewing, and scenic appreciation rather than swimming.
Summer months (December-February) provide the best weather for boat trips and kayaking to Little Glory Cove, with longer daylight hours and relatively calmer seas. Paterson Inlet's sheltered waters can be visited year-round with appropriate planning, though winter brings shorter days and harsher weather. The cove receives minimal visitors regardless of season, maintaining its peaceful character. Spring and autumn offer good wildlife viewing opportunities. Always check weather forecasts before departing as conditions can change rapidly around Stewart Island.
Little Glory Cove is accessed by boat or kayak from Oban. Several operators in Oban offer water taxi services, guided kayak tours, and boat charters that can take you into Paterson Inlet. You can also rent kayaks if you have experience and appropriate skills for sheltered sea kayaking. The cove is not accessible by road or walking track. First, travel to Stewart Island via ferry from Bluff or flight from Invercargill, then arrange your boat transport from Oban operators.
Little Glory Cove has no facilities whatsoever. It's a remote natural cove meant for quiet exploration and nature appreciation. All accommodation, food, and services are in Oban, where you'll find lodges, hotels, backpackers, restaurants, and cafes. Visits to the cove are typically day trips or part of longer kayaking expeditions where you bring your own supplies. Some kayakers camp at designated sites around Paterson Inlet, but you must be completely self-sufficient and follow DOC guidelines.
Little Glory Cove offers intimate, boat-based discovery of Paterson Inlet's hidden shoreline, contrasting with the island's tramping-focused beaches. The cove's sheltered nature and quiet beauty provide peaceful nature stops for kayakers and boaters exploring the inlet's intricate coastline. Wildlife sightings, including seabirds and possibly penguins or seals, enhance the experience. The sense of discovery and tranquility, combined with native forest reaching to the water's edge, creates a special connection with Stewart Island's maritime wilderness character.
