Te Waewae Bay is a broad, open bay on the rugged south coast of New Zealand's South Island, characterized by a long, sweeping grey sand beach backed by stones and driftwood. The bay faces the Southern Ocean and Foveaux Strait, creating a dynamic marine environment influenced by powerful swells and weather systems. The coastline stretches approximately 113 kilometers, encompassing areas from Pahia Point to Sand Hill Point, and supports a rich inshore and surf fishery. The nearshore waters are part of the Te Waewae Bay Marine Mammal Sanctuary, a designated area established to protect a significant population of Hector's dolphins.