It was our first time at the Catlins and it was a great decision to stay at Surat Bay Lodge. They made our experience exceptional! The view was stunning, you were just by the beach and sealion sighting is just a usual scene in here. I lost count how many sealions we've seen in our 4days stay. The owners, Jack and Esther also made us feel at home. They were lovely and very accommodating. The whole family already miss them and wanting to go back soon. Highly recommended lodge at the Catlins.

Absolutely stunning and peaceful location, exactly the relaxing spot I was looking for. Plenty of pretty walks in the area and sea lions right on the beach below! Beach access directly in front of the place and a beautiful outdoor sitting area. The owners were the most welcoming, helpful, and sweetest people I’ve met. The facilities were great and the place was so homey. Didn’t want to leave!

Fry pans were old and lopsided so a little hard to cook, but other than that absolutely amazing place!

This is a beautiful little place to stay at a great location. Just a short walk to the beach to see the sea lions. The rooms are spotless as is the fully equipped kitchen. Bathrooms are shared but also spotlessly clean. Ester and Jack are lovely. She makes a banging coffee and he’ll tell you where to go to see wildlife. A fantastic place to stay. Ten out of ten.

Nothing. It was just great.

Good beds. We just came late to sleep and left early in the morning. Place is personal old building in the end of the road by the sea where you can see seals on the beach. Hostess was very polite and nice. Even old building it was clean. Didnt use kitchen or living room though we had the whole apt.

Too short time to find out any to complain. Even old, still clean and everything works.

Esther and Jack were absolutely lovely. Great value for money. Good kitchen facilities. Comfortable bed. Fabulous location great walk across the sandy bay … saw a number of seals and a sea lion. Great view of the stars. Met some lovely people.

All good

Absolutely lovely host, location was incredible and views were stunning! Easy access to the beach and even saw a sea lion on our evening stroll. Kitchen and bathroom facilities included everything we needed and more, great value for money.

Location was great, not too far from Owaka, Nugget Point and the Catlins in general. The beds were comfortable and cosy, and the kitchen was small but had everything you need. Everything was nice and clean.

Fenomenal location on the beach. Good facilities.

The materasses are very old and you sunck down in the bed. As a materass topper they use some small pieces of topper. It would be so easy to just get new materasses. That's what you mostly pay for at any hostel/motel.

Staff were awesome, incredibly accomodating, have recommended this location to several people since my trip. We ended up here because we were supposed to be staying at Thomas Catlins Hostel, however the lady there was very rude and cancelled our booking made months in advance 10 days before our trip, she had forgotten we had a booking there when she accepted others. Our group for the most part was therefore left without accomodation shortnotice before a busy Easter weekend. Managed to get a booking at Surat and they were amazing, plus the location on the beach was stunning.

Great location on the bay. Great views.

Weather very unseasonal and cold, took a little time to get to grips with the heating but once we figured it out we were cosy.