Located on the West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island, Motukiekie Beach would have to be my favourite location on the South Island, l know thats a big call but Motukiekie has everything l could ask for, rugged coastline, giant rock stacks, moody weather and starfish, yes thats right-thousands of bright orange starfish.

A Seascape photographers delight but not without extremely dangerous and treacherous tidal conditions. The starfish colonies  are only accessible during the low tide, so plan your trip to coincide with the low tide and play it safe, the tide turns very quickly and you must have your wits about.

Plan to arrive during the day and get familiar with the surrounding areas, the more confident and familiar you are the more you can focus on photographing when the time is right.

Get there when low tide is coming in at sunrise and sunset if possible, don’t leave without getting some shots of the starfish.  Move in close and use long shutter speeds to convey a sense of motion, but watch your camera gear and footing with the dangerous tide swing.

Motukiekie Beach is situated about 15kms out of Greymouth.

Darren J.