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Idyllic Dryden Bay - a complete Sounds experience

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Idyllic Dryden Bay
View of Beach
Winter Sunrise over the wharf
View
Looking into lounge from outside deck

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 6

Popular amenities

  • Washer
  • Fireplace
  • Barbecue grill
  • Pet-friendly
  • Kitchen
  • Outdoor space

Explore the area

Map
Dryden Bay, Picton
  • Dryden Bay
    ‪317 min walk‬
  • Picton Harbour
  • Picton Ferry Terminal
    ‪123 min drive‬
  • Picton (PCN)
    ‪129 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed and 1 Child Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed and 1 Single Bed

Bedroom 3

2 Single Beds and 1 Child Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Shower only

Wash House/ Separate Toilet

Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Balcony
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining Area

About this property

Idyllic Dryden Bay - a complete Sounds experience

A perfect spot to have a wine on the deck as the sun goes down - or if you are an early bird, watch the fantastic sun rise (pictured).
Part of the charm of Dryden Bay is it's sandy beach and wonderful bird life. The property is boat access only. Water taxis take guests to the property from Picton on regular scheduled services - or you can hire a small water taxi from the Picton waterfront for a larger group or travel in by your own boat. A mooring is available as part of the rental.
The house is a comfortable, well equipped, sunny home which offers an ideal retreat from hustle and bustle. The large deck gives the opportunity to dine outside, sunbathe or just chill. There is fantastic wild life all around the property and a lawn for children and adults to play on! There is a wharf to arrive and depart from and the mooring should you bring your own boat is close to wharf area.
Great for families, small groups or a quiet weekend away. Dryden Bay is a Fishing paradise, located close to the scallop area and great dives spots.You do not have to leave the Bay for those that do not have boats as there is great fishing to be had in the Bay area - you do not have to travel far to catch a fish for dinner so remember to pack your fishing rod and bait! There are kayaks for guests to use.
Close boat rides away are Ships Cove, the starting point for the Queen Charlotte Track, excellent picnic areas and historical land sites . Motuara Bird Sanctaury is also a short boat ride away and there are plenty of local walks available.
If you feel like dinner out you could take the water taxi or your own boat to one of the local resorts nearby.
The beach is flat and sandy, very safe for children and families. An easy launching spot for a dingy or kayak. The wharf provides a great place to fish with a hand line or
for children and adults to dive and jump from.
Everything is on your doorstep - the hardest part is deciding what to do next!
A great place to have fun or just chill ..... you have the choice!
Special conditions:
No Smoking allowed in the property - outside only.
Pets may be considered.
Linen available at $30 per person if required.
Cleaning Service is mandatory for this property

Extras: Cleaning (Required, NZ$90.00 per stay); (Optional, NZ$30.00 per person); NOTE: Under Kiwi bach tradition you are expected to: Bring your own linen (towels/sheets/tea towels);

Property manager

sueer984
Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Outdoor space
Barbecue grill

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House Rules

Check in after 2:30 PM
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
All children must be accompanied by adults
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed: dogs less than 25 kg per pet (limit one pet total)
On application only. Pets must be supervised
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there are no carbon monoxide detectors or gas appliances on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit

About the area

Pukekoikoi

Located in Pukekoikoi, this holiday home is on the beach. Edwin Fox and Picton War Memorial are local landmarks, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Motuara Island and Dryden Bay. Edwin Fox Museum and Waitohi Recreational Reserve are also worth visiting. Discover the area's water adventures with scuba diving and fishing nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with hiking/biking trails and mountain biking.
Map
Dryden Bay, Picton

What's nearby

  • Lochmara Lodge Marlborough Sounds Wildlife Recovery Centre - 50 min drive - 25.2 km

Getting around

  • Picton (PCN) - 129 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Idyllic Dryden Bay - a complete Sounds experience pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 1 total) with a maximum weight of up to 25 kg per pet.

What time is check-in at Idyllic Dryden Bay - a complete Sounds experience?

Check-in begins at 2:30 PM.

What time is check-out at Idyllic Dryden Bay - a complete Sounds experience?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Idyllic Dryden Bay - a complete Sounds experience located?

Situated on the beach, this holiday home is 18.6 mi (29.9 km) from Lochmara Lodge Arts Centre.

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 39 out of 47 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 6 out of 47 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 47 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 47 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 47 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Caroline F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Fantastic
Beautiful location and great size home with kayaks, would come again!
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Dan J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Alistair T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Short relaxing stay
A great stay, welcomed on arrival with a tractor for our gear, which was huge help. House was clean and comfortable with great views of the bay. An amazing location. A great bbq and deck. Everything you need for a great weekend away.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Annette S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great Place to unwind
Great views
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024

8/10 Good

David B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Our new annual holiday
The view is amazing from the living room, the house had all amenities, was comfortable and the beach was safe for our kids and the jetty a great place to fish. 100% recommend. Fast and easy communication with Sue beforehand made the process ready
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2024

8/10 Good

john g.

Liked: Cleanliness, location, listing accuracy
Team Catch up
A fantastic location, with the ability to go fishing ,enjoy the surrounding eateries and a special bay to enjoy the moment Highly recommend for abit of time out !
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Eloise C., Wanganui, NZ

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing few days fishing
Myself partner and friends had the best week at Dryden Bay. The batch was exactly as described and perfect for our group. Clean tidy and great internet access - not that you’ll want to when surrounded by such beautiful scenery! Excellent docking and mooring. And the sealife in the bay was first class - not just many fish, we saw sting rays dolphins and even a seahorse! We spent four days exploring the sounds and caught many varied species. Couldn’t recommend more - we can’t wait to go back! My only suggestion for the host is a clothes horse :) Thank you!
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Victoria C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Magic Spot
What a special spot Dryden Bay is. This house is the perfect base for exploring the house with everything you need for a comfortable stay. Sue is very easy to communicate with and super helpful with providing details on the property.
Stayed 10 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Liv J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Fantastic family holiday
Thank you Sue & family for having us to stay - we loved our time at Dryden. Great bay with excellent beach with lots of space for kids to play & explore. House was comfy and had great view over the bay. Kathie was really helpful too, thank you both.
Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Lynnette C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Just the rest we needed.
Thanks for generously sharing this special place.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Clare W., new Zealand

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful Kiwi Bach in lovely sheltered Bay
We very much enjoyed our stay at this property. The house was very clean and well equipped with everything one should need. Owners communication exceptional. The location is an ideal spot sheltered from most prevailing wind with a lovely beach and very functional jetty. We loved the bird life around the house and the cheeky Weka family kept us amused. Fabulous fishing close by. Easy boat access to Furneoux Lodge for lunch. highly recommend this property.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jonathan C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great location and property
Great view of the open sea Lovely place to go look forward to going back here one day .
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jason L., Dunedin

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Peaceful getaway in the bay
What an amazing place to chill out and relax. So peaceful as we had the bay to ourselves. Amazing views from the deck and the lounge through the large sliding door. Everything you need for a stay in the sounds. Great jetty and mooring avallible as well as kayaks and a tender dinghy to reach mooring. Pleanty of stuff to explore by boat close by. My partner and I really enjoyed our stay for the four nights and would definitely like to one day return for a longer stay. Thanks to Sue for sharing their property with us.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kerrynn R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great stay
Had a fantastic time with adult kids Good close mooring no complaints
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2022

10/10 Excellent

karen l.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Summer fun
Easy checkin and help with 3 weeks worth of gear from jetty to house , everything as per listing . Thanks sue and Steve
Stayed 20 nights in Dec 2021

10/10 Excellent

Matt H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great getaway
Loved it! It felt quiet and remote, surrounded by bush, but close to the lodges for lunch :) A great adventure for the Kids.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

Gavin R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great break away
Really like this place. Simple, but with pretty much everything you need. Loved the fact that there was no wifi, no cell phone signal and only one other person on the beach when I was there. Perfect place to decompress.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Jessie F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing Host
Due to a natural disaster region wide and damage being sustained to the bay, we were unable to stay. However our hosts were amazing before and after this. Super good communication and really lovely people. We will be staying at this property again (when nature decides to not throw a one in 100 years flooding event at us all….) A magical place that I would recommend to everyone.

10/10 Excellent

Trina P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Idyllic spot in The Sounds
Lovely and warm kiwi Bach. The fire and hall heater kept the house cosy, the deck and views were the icing on the cake. Well equipped kitchen (although missed having a spatula) and nice to have some extra herbs and spices in the pantry. The extra chest freezer was much appreciated. The master bed wasn’t that comfy, a new mattress or topper would sort that. Easy to contact owner and then on-site Manager when we needed and the problem swiftly sorted. Good selection of DVD’s and a couple of family games, parents loved the very limited Wifi, kids not so much!!! Overall, a wonderful stay.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

travers t.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Family trip away.
Stunning as always, very warm. We’ll be back 👌

10/10 Excellent

Johan N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Heavenly
What a wonderful stay. The hosts were extremely helpful and accommodating.
Stayed 6 nights in Feb 2021

10/10 Excellent

Anna S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Dryden Bay
Hosts were great to deal with. Fantastic walking tracks. Caught snapper blue cod and king fish in bay. Good dive spots close by. Lovely swimming beach. Highly recommend.

10/10 Excellent

Bridget D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great location and family friendly bach
Perfect place for a family holiday if you like getting away from it all - really well-set up kitchen / living areas and beautiful views. We enjoyed the bay for snorkelling, kayaking, fishing and swimming and also did the local walks and visited glow-worms up the track at night. The stars were amazing on clear nights. Would be a fantastic base for motorboat or yacht with a really handy mooring. Local boat services to other bays, grocery delivery and communication with owner were all excellent. Highly recommended all round :-).
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2021

10/10 Excellent

Imogen C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Xmas in the bay
Perfect for our needs and well equipped.

10/10 Excellent

travers t.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stunning all round.
Stunning! Our stay was too short. Sue was quick to reply and the whole process easy. We’ll be back!

About the host

Hosted by sueer984

Host profile image

Why they chose this property

This is in a remote area of the beautiful Marlborough Sounds. The property is water access only which leads to much of the beauty of rich wild life and fishing in the area. You can often spot dolphins from the lounge or off the wharf at all times of the year and fishing is excellent even for the not so experienced.

What makes this property unique

Altermate Chill Spot - BBQ on the deck and soak in the views and birdlife that surrounds you.

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
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