This studio flat is a surfer's dream in Whale Bay with the famous Indicators and Manu Bay surf breaks at your doorstep. Beautifully presented with a rustic and quirky theme, tucked away in a tropical garden with views of the ocean peeking through the trees. Situated below the main house, with its own private entrance and spacious outdoor courtyard. A peaceful haven to relax and unwind.
An ideal place for a surf trip, romantic getaway or writer’s retreat, the interior has been designed with an eclectic decor and bright, quirky art. The kitchen has a gas cooker, a microwave, toaster, kettle, coffee plunger, pots and pans and all the utensils you might need to create a post-surf feast or romantic dinner. There is a good size fridge/freezer. The bathroom is spacious and light with a shower and a washing machine and is surrounded by native bush for your privacy. You can choose to dine inside or outside and the courtyard is equipped with a portable barbecue and storage for surf boards. Fresh linen, soaps and shampoo are all provided. The garden is lush and tropical and filled with the sound of the ocean waves and native birds which surrounds your private space and our resident Moreporks often visit at night.
The night sky is incredible and worth staying up to enjoy a clear view of the stars. The studio is a 10-15 minute drive from the Raglan township which is a lovely escape from the summer crowds. Whale Bay Reserve is a two minute stroll to check the surf and the famous Indicators and Outsides is a 5 minutes walk over the rocks with Manu Bay a 7 minute walk up the road. Ruapuke beach is a 25 minute drive around the mountain, a perfect spot to watch the sunset.
Fresh linen, soaps and shampoo are all provided.
Wifi is provided - for incoming and outgoing calls please switch on 'wifi calling' as its difficult to get a signal in this patch.
SPECIAL CONDITIONS:
The property is on bore water. I am always mindful of water usage. Whale Bay is a peaceful and quiet area, good for relaxing or surfing. Residents tend to be quiet and private people who enjoy the tranquillity of this alternative lifestyle. I live upstairs in the main house and am happy to assist where necessary. The whole property is smoke-free - please smoke off the property.
Extras: Cleaning (NZ$ 80 per stay) Linen (included) - extra bedding available.
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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 indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a deadlock
Property Registration Number 20044440
Frequently asked questions
Is WaveCatcher Whale Bay Surf Studio Flat pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at WaveCatcher Whale Bay Surf Studio Flat?
As of 7 April 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at WaveCatcher Whale Bay Surf Studio Flat on 31 December 2026 start from NZ$132, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
How much is parking at WaveCatcher Whale Bay Surf Studio Flat?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at WaveCatcher Whale Bay Surf Studio Flat?
Check-in begins at 2:00 PM.
What time is check-out at WaveCatcher Whale Bay Surf Studio Flat?
Checkout is at 10:30 AM.
Where is WaveCatcher Whale Bay Surf Studio Flat located?
Situated by the sea, this apartment building is within a 10-minute walk of Whale Bay and Manu Bay Nature Reserve. Ngarunui Beach and Mount Karioi are also within 6 miles (10 km).
Reviews
10
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
We spent 4 nights with my partner and really enjoyed it, the location is great, the house is great, it can get a bit dark inside during the day but on a sunny/hot day you will love it :)
My wife and I had a very enjoyable and restful five day stay at Deborah's comfortable and quirky studio flat. The surrounding garden is protected and has a tropical feel which we liked a lot. Being a surfer, the location couldn't be better. Deborah was a great host, being very relaxed, friendly and helpful. We have no hesitation in recommending this great spot to others. Jonathan & Carol
We were looking for a few restful days at the beach. The studio is short distances from two popular beaches but has just a glimpse of the sea. A couple of old crocks found the steep drive and steps rather challenging but the effort proved worthwhile, the studio itself was just the ticket and was all that we had wished for..
We had a great time the property is very well equipped with everything you could possibly need. Deborah is a great host very friendly with great advice for activities 😊
Great couple nights stay here quite close to town but still a nice private area. Room was very tidy and manager was great to deal with would highly reccomend this property for those who are looking to escape.
Amazing and private little studio tucked away at whale bay. Was perfect for a the few nights we stayed with excellent proximity to the points for surfing! Deborah was super welcoming and a fantastic host keeping our experience very relaxed and just what we were after. Look forward to coming back soon. Thank you so much
Robert W.
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Cristina P.
7 May 2019
Cozy spot in great location
Cozy (but nt cramped) studio in a great location for surfing. Comfortable bed, spacious bathroom, nice little kitchen with all the basic including a coffee plunger. Nice decor. It was rainy while we were there so we didn't get to enjoy the patio but it looked nice. Steep path down to studio but very manageable (use a light at night). Perfect setup for 2 people.
Cristina P.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2019
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Lynn M.
24 March 2019
The artsy studio at Whale's Tail Bay
Deborah has made the small studio into a comfortable, artfully colorful place to stay. The kitchen has everything you need to cook your meals and you can either sit inside at the bar or table or outside on the patio to eat. The bathroom is modern and there is a washing machine in one corner of it. If you want to go to Manu Bay you can take a 15 minute walk and if you want to eat lunch or dinner out Rock It isn't far and has great food. Raglan is a small town with some good shops and cafes. Deborah is helpful in letting you know where to go.
Lynn M.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2019
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Janet F.
2 March 2019
Amazing and blessed to stay at this wonderful place I call 'Chill Out'.
I needed a place to stay in Raglan and we were blessed with this little cosy, warm and chilled out whare. Deborah was an amazing host, she knows how to make you feel welcome. Her place is very well-thought of with whatever you need for living conditions. I will definitely recommend her place to anyone who is looking for time-out to chill by the surf. Thank you Deborah for having us feel like we have had a wonderful holiday. All the best!
Janet F.
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Suzanne H.
12 February 2019
Funky Whale Bay studio flat
Deborah was a very friendly, informative and accommodating host. Her studio flat was very clean, tidy and well kitted out. Away from Raglan township, it was a little haven not far from Whale Bay, Manu Bay and a bit closer to town, Ngaranui. The views along the coastline are absolutely spectacular. We had a great time using her flat as a base to explore the area and it was only a short distance from the township for cafes, shopping, kayaking, walks around the estuary, etc. A great place to spend a holiday.
Suzanne H.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2019
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Victor W.
28 January 2019
Absolutely a magical place. Just a perfect beach studio.
The studio has everything you would want or need. The kitchen is perfect for cooking in and your patio has a lovely surrounding atmosphere and even a peak at the ocean and surf below. The bathroom is perfect with a wonderful shower and the bed and linens are top hote quality. She has really thought of everything a travel might want to feel at home in her special spot. Deborah is also an absolute top notch host. She is an all around lovely person but she also knows everything and everyone within the area. Seriously could not have asked for more.
Victor W.
Stayed 16 nights in Jan 2019
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Chris B.
13 January 2019
Lovely place with everything we needed.
Deborah was a great host and we loved staying at her place.
Chris B.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2018
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Chantelle R.
2 December 2018
Perfect
Highley recommend
Chantelle R.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2018
From a partner site
10/10 Excellent
katrina v.
2 August 2018
We stayed at this property for 2 nights during the middle of...
We stayed at this property for 2 nights during the middle of winter for a surfing trip. Deborah made sure the heater was on so the room was cozy and warm for our arrival. The kitchen has everything you could possible need to cook. The bed was comfortable and the shower had great water pressure. The studio was clean and tidy. There is a nice view of the ocean from the studio and whale bay is a short stroll away to check the surf. We would definitely stay again.
katrina v.
About the host
Hosted by Deborah Attard-Manche
I have worked in the holistic wellbeing field for 30 years mostly as a Cranial Osteopath. I am almost retired! I am fun loving and adore colourful things. I love collecting art and love eating out and cooking scrumptious food. I do love animals and have rescued many over the years. I am presently without any pets. I recently returned to Raglan after being away for 2 1\2 years as I have been looking after my parents in Malta and shall be returning there in a few months. I love walking and doing yoga, travelling to Europe and spending time with my friends and family. I love being creative and dreaming up new ideas. I enjoy a good laugh - and not taking life too seriously. I would love to welcome you to my my little piece of Raglan Paradise.
Why they chose this property
This property was the original bach in Whale Bay and the Norfolk Pine in front of the main house was a Christmas tree in the 50's! I love living close to the Raglan township but love also being away from all the crowds. This property has its own magic with its lush and tropical garden and the wonderful Norfolk pine tree that provides a canopy of shade and a home for many birds. We have Karioi mountain behind us and in front of the property is the Tasman sea so there is always the sound of the waves. It's a 2 minute walk to Whale Bay Reserve where you can sit and watch the surfers. It's a slow 10 minutes walk to Manu Bay where you can swim off the boat ramp. It's 5 minutes over the rocks to the Lagoon where you can swim or surf. If you drive there are many walks around here - 7 minutes to the main beach Ngaranui where you can walk, swim or surf. 8 minutes to Bush Park Wainui which is a lovely shaded bush walk. 25 minutes to Ruapuke beach where you can walk, swim or surf - be careful here as there are rogue rips and you need to be a good surfer as there are no surf life guards on this beach.
What makes this property unique
Its a tropical paradise set amongst beautiful trees, flowers and fauna with beautiful bird song from the native birds and the constant roar of the ocean waves in the background which lull me to sleep. Its only 10-15 minutes drive to Raglan town with its bohemian vibe, local eateries, cafes and creative shops and I love being next to the Ocean, with sea views from the main house but also although more restricted in the studio flat you can see the sea and hear the roar of the waves day and night - the louder the better! The sound of the native birds is beautiful by day and at night we often hear the Morepork/Ruru owls. Its got its own microclimate and is mostly sheltered from the wind - it's a very private space hidden from the road.