Entire home

Sunset Cottage right on the beach.

Photo gallery for Sunset Cottage right on the beach.

A coastal area with a pier extending into clear blue waters, surrounded by dense green hills.
A room with a bed, a window with curtains, and a view of a lake and mountains.
A house by a clear blue lake surrounded by dense green forest.
A wooden dock extending into a calm lake with a boat moored at the end.
A cozy living room with a striped sofa, a wooden coffee table, and a bookshelf.

Reviews

10 out of 10, Loved by Guests
Top 10% of guest reviews in this area
Situated at the bayfront, this 3-bedroom cottage accommodates 6 guests. Enjoy ocean views from the patio. Engage in water sports, scuba diving, and motorboating nearby. Explore birdwatching and fishing opportunities. Attractions include Waikawa Marina and Picton Harbour, offering adventure for all travelers.

Highlights

  • Top rated beach location

    Discover paradise at this top rated beach location.

  • Centrally-located

    You're never far from where you need to be with this convenient location.
3 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 6

Popular amenities

  • Barbecue grill
  • Washing machine
  • Refrigerator
  • Patio
  • Non-smoking
  • Microwave

Explore the area

View in a map
Marlborough
  • Place, Waikawa Jetty
    ‪10 min drive‬
  • Place, Waikawa Marina
    ‪18 min drive‬
  • Place, Picton Harbour
    ‪26 min drive‬
  • Airport, Blenheim (BHE-Woodbourne)
    ‪53 min drive‬

Where you'll sleep

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Single Bunk Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Single Bunk Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen

About this property

Sunset Cottage right on the beach.

A delightful cottage right on the waters edge in the beautiful Queen Charlotte Sound, overlooking Whatamango Bay, Karaka Point and the Allports Islands. Perfect for a family break. Sunset Cottage is water access only so feels like a world away although its easy access from Picton/Waikawa.

Use the cottage side of the floating jetty and your own mooring right in front of the cottage if you have a boat, or take the 15 minute trip by water taxi from Picton. (Picton Water Taxis 03 573 7853). Wake up to the sound of the sea on your doorstep, laze on the beach, swim in the safe, sheltered bay, walk to neighbouring bays, BBQ on the deck, and enjoy the all-day sun until very last of the sunset rays with a Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc which will be awaiting you in the fridge!

The cottage is ideally suited to a couple or a family. The deck is right by the beach and the double bedroom window opens to the sea. The two double bunkrooms are compact and not suitable for adults but fine for two children in each. A dinghy and 2 kayaks are available for your use. There is good mobile phone reception but no wi-fi or TV. Sunset cottage is all about getting away and being close to nature!

Linen and towels are provided.

Minimum stay is 3 nights.
There is no cleaning fee on the assumption that you will leave the cottage clean and tidy.

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House Rules

Check in after 2:30 PM

Check out before 11:00 AM

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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

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Events

No events allowed

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Pets

No pets allowed

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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

The cottage backs onto native bush. A fire could be devastating so fires of any sort are not permitted

Property is by water access only.

Important information

You need to know

Property # 9614761
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 not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room

About the area

Whatamango Bay

Located in Whatamango Bay, this cottage is near the beach. Edwin Fox and Picton War Memorial are local landmarks, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Mount McCormick and Victoria Domain. Edwin Fox Museum and Lochmara Lodge Arts Centre are also worth visiting. Discover the area's water adventures with scuba diving, power boating and fishing nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with hiking.
View more Cottages in Whatamango BayOpens in a new window
Map
Marlborough

What's nearby

  • Waikawa Jetty - 10 min drive - 4.6 km
  • beach near Waikawa Bay - 13 min drive - 5.6 km
  • Waikawa Marina - 18 min drive - 6.0 km
  • Victoria Domain - 19 min drive - 7.4 km
  • Picton Harbour - 26 min drive - 9.6 km

Restaurants

  • Le Cafe
  • Seabreeze Cafe & Bar
  • Jolly Roger
  • Thai Panda
  • Toastie Lords - Picton

Frequently asked questions

Is Sunset Cottage right on the beach. pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Sunset Cottage right on the beach. ?

Check-in begins at 2:30 PM.

What time is check-out at Sunset Cottage right on the beach. ?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Sunset Cottage right on the beach. located?

Situated near the beach in Whatamango Bay, this cottage is close to Waikawa Jetty and Waikawa Marina. Area attractions also include Picton Ferry Terminal and Mount McCormick.

Reviews

10

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. 30 out of 31 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 31 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 31 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 31 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 31 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Fantastic waterside spot, great floating jetty, house had everything we needed.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 11 Apr, 2026
A pleasure to have your neat family in the bay for a few days. Thanks for the delicious blue cod!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great host. Amazing location
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 6 Apr, 2026
Great guests. Always welcome back!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing stay

Thanks for the incredible stay, it was soo peaceful and the reset that we needed
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 6 Apr, 2025
So pleased you had a special family time there. Thanks got taking such care of the cottage and hope you get back next year!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Checkin great
Stayed 8 nights in Mar 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 25 Mar, 2026
Thoroughly enjoyed having Chris and Sue in the cottage and sharing the bay. I couldn’t ask for more anyone more thoughtful and respectful. Thanks
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great views, good communication and welcoming host
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 21 Jan, 2026
Friendly, helpful and happy family. Please come again!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Fantastic, time away so close to Waikawau but fells like you are in the middle of no where
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 9 Apr, 2025
So pleased you enjoyed your stay in the bay. Thanks for your care. See you next time i hope. J
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fantastic

Amazing place great hospitality from the owner
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 24 Apr, 2023
Thanks to all the team. It was a real pleasure to have your family in the bay.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Julian was a great host
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 15 Dec, 2025
Really enjoyed having you both in the bay. Thanks for your care. Please come again!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Magic !

Great host and location, throughly enjoyed our stay !
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 23 Jan, 2024
Sue and Ian. I have just noticed i missed replying to you post stay.!! My apologies. We thoroughly enjoyed your company and so pleased you enjoyed your stay so much. Australia Day Cheers!!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect family holiday

We loved everything about this place, the house was very clean and had everything you would want in a batch, and the location was absolute paradise. Julian was a wonderful host. We definitely plan to stay again.
Stayed 5 nights in Jan 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing Bach in the sounds

A spectacular property we enjoyed every minute of it and the host was great
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 29 Jan, 2023
Justin and family clearly loved their stay in the cottage (they did get very lucky with the weather too) and i loved having them there.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great wee bach and a lovely location. We very much enjoyed our time here. Bach had everything we needed. Julian was a great host. Our kids enjoyed fishing and jumping off the wharf, kayaking, paddle boards (we brought our own) and walking the beach at low tide. We took our own boat and used the mooring with this bach. Great to only be a 15 min boat trip from Waikawa.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 20 Apr, 2026
Great to share the bay with a happy family clearly enjoying themselves and the blue cod and gurnard they caught!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Awesome place to stay definitely going back

Nice quiet little cottage, easy to plenty of fishing places and close to boat ramp and pub for lunch. A very friendly weka came to say hi most days and followed to hang washing out. Highly recommend
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 29 Apr, 2025
Very careful guests. Much appreciated. Pleased you were so happy with everything and hope you come back!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Location

Perfect place to getaway and do some kayaking in the Sounds. We especially enjoyed sitting down to a glass of wine at the end of each day to watch the beautiful sunsets over the mountain ranges.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 15 Nov, 2022
I am so pleased you enjoyed your stay so much. Let’s hope we meet again!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Location with a Lovely Host

We greatly enjoyed our stay, falling to sleep at night listening to the lapping waves after a gorgeous sunset. Waking up the next day to fish off the new jetty or going on a bush walk. The host - Jules - was wonderful - and catered to our every need.
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 14 Jan, 2022
Thanks Paul. It really was a pleasure having you and your wonderful family in residence - and leaving it so clean and tidy! I do hope we meet again. Jules
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Gorgeous setting and amazing host. The cottage was clean and tidy with everything we needed thoughtfully supplied. The resident weka and oystercatchers kept a close eye on us. There were plenty of fish, and we saw rays and orca too. Waking up to the birdsong and going to sleep to the sound of the waves just outside the window made this a perfect spot for relaxing and recharging.
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 31 Jan, 2026
Really good to share the bay with the family and see them relaxing and enjoying themselves. Very respectful of the natural environment and the cottage. Hope to see them again
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful

Exactly as described couldn’t of been happier
Stayed 5 nights in Jan 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 3 Feb, 2025
Thanks Clare. It really was a pleasure having you and the family to share the bay with. You will be pleased to know that one oyster catcher baby hatched and is growing up and doing well!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Super rare location

Great to disappear in the wild with family. Location is 100%. Hosts are extremely welcoming. Would return no doubt to this White Heaven
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 12 Feb, 2025
Really enjoyed having your family in the cottage Serge. Shame the weather was a bit mixed but it didnt stop you enjoying all the bay has to offer. Hope to see you again.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful

Our second stay here was every bit as spectacular as the first. The cottage, while older, is well maintained and tidy, with everything we needed. This is an excellent place for the family. Super convenient to be right on the beach. Julian is an excellent host.
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 29 Feb, 2024
Once more it was a pleasure having you and the growing family in the bay. i really enjoy your appreciation of nature and the care you take of the cottage and the environment. I know its a long way from home but i hope we meet again!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Paradise

That’s a wonderful and peaceful place. We savoured our stay at Whatamango Bay very much. Thank you, Julian
Stayed 6 nights in Nov 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 22 Nov, 2022
Thanks Rahel and Dieter. It was a pleasure having you in the bay and leaving everything so clean and tidy. Happy travels in NZ. Julian
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family adventure

What a magical few days. Julian was an incredibly generous host, and although we weren’t as lucky with the weather as we could have been, the kids enjoyed playing on the beach, fishing off the pier and swimming in the bay. So remote and peaceful and an incredible sunset, just what we’d hoped from the sounds.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 29 Apr, 2025
After coming from so far away it’s a relief it worked out so well for you and the family David. Especially as the weather was challenging at times. It was a pleasure having you in the bay!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Awesome wee cottage!

What an awesome wee spot so close to Waikawa/Picton but yet still has the feels of being out in the middle of the sounds. Couldn’t get a place closer to the water if you tried. Loved it thanks Julian 😊
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Stunning

A little slice of heaven. Totally self contained bach by crystal clear sea. Protected From any wind.A fabulous place to kick back and relax. Julian is a wonderful host. We aim to return!
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 7 Feb, 2024
Such a pleasure having you both in the bay. The weather was pretty kind too! Heres hoping you will return one day. Cheers Julian
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Stay in Paradise!

Amazing property. If you want to get your kids off the devices, come and stay here. Back to the 80s when life was easy! Having conversations while doing the dishes and playing board games at night. So much to explore and enjoy. This place is the ultimate vacation and so close to Waikawa! We will be back for sure!
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 16 Apr, 2024
I am so pleased you and the family enjoyed the cottage and the environment so much Ben. Many thanks for leaving it so clean and tidy. I look forward to seeing you all next time. Julian
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Absolutely loved it

Great little beach house with everything you need. Very clean and well appointed right next to the water front. Great floating jetty to catch Kaiwai, mullet etc, even caught a good sized blue cod. The host Julian was great at what he does, very hospitable and accomodating. Couldn’t recommend this place more for a relaxing getaway. So close to Picton but feels like you’re miles from anywhere.
Stayed 6 nights in Jan 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 23 Jan, 2024
So pleased it all worked out so well for you and the family. It was a real pleasure having you enjoying the bay and the little cottage. Good to see the kids enjoying the outside life so much and contributing to some tasty dinners of mussels, blue cod and even kingfish! The Pegasus red in safe keeping for a special occasion!!

About the host

Hosted by Julian Terry

Host profile image

The Terry family have holidayed and resided at their Whatamango Bay property for over 60 years! In 2021 they moved across the bay and Julian and Diana are often in residence in the house on the other side of the jetty from Sunset Cottage. They will often be there to welcome you and introduce you to this little piece of paradise.

Why they chose this property

Sunset Cottage is like no other sitting on the waters edge just above the high tide mark.
It is compact in size but sweeping in vistas and natural ambiance. The place where lifelong memories are created. It is drenched in all-day sun and retains it long after most of the Queen Charlotte Sound is in shadow. Go to sleep to the sound of the lapping water and wake to the dawn chorus of native birds.

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests

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