The Pancake Rocks are among New Zealand’s most famous and visually striking coastal formations. They’re located at Punakaiki on the West Coast of the South Island, within Paparoa National Park.

Visiting has become a bit of a family tradition for us—and although the area has changed a lot since we first came in 1997, the rocks themselves are just as spectacular. The surroundings, however, now include souvenir shops and cafés along the coastal road.

🌊 What They Are

The Pancake Rocks are limestone formations eroded into a stacked, layered appearance—like piles of pancakes. This unusual pattern comes from a process called layered limestone accretion, where the remains of marine organisms were compressed over millions of years and later uplifted and sculpted by wind, rain, and waves. The sight is just as awe-inspiring as the first time we saw it, with the formations perched dramatically on the edge of the wild Tasman Sea.

🌬️ Blowholes

One of the biggest attractions here is the Punakaiki blowholes. When the tide is high and the sea is rough, waves surge through vertical shafts and send columns of spray shooting into the air. It’s especially impressive during stormy weather. We arrived early in the morning and the tide wasn’t as high as we’d hoped, but the waves still crashed beneath us, making the ground shake and shudder. We saw a bit of blowhole action—not much—but it didn’t really matter. The spectacle is always worth it.

🚶 Scenic Walks

The Pancake Rocks and Blowholes Walk is a short, fully paved loop track (about 20–30 minutes) that winds through native forest and along the rocky coastline, with multiple viewing platforms along the way. It’s one of New Zealand’s most accessible iconic attractions. We had almost the whole place to ourselves since we visited around 8 a.m.—we’re sure it gets much busier once the tour buses arrive. Standing in the wind and feeling the raw power of the Tasman Sea is something special.

🐦 Flora & Fauna

The area is surrounded by lush temperate rainforest featuring nīkau palms, flax, and coastal shrubs. It’s also home to seabirds, weka, and the occasional Hector’s dolphin offshore. At times, the paths feel like narrow hallways framed by tall flax and dense coastal vegetation.

🫶Our Impression

We’ve visited the Pancake Rocks three times now, and each time we’ve been in awe—not only of the formations themselves but of the wildness of the West Coast. It’s rugged in the best possible way. The views are incredible, and the short, easy loop around the Pancake Rocks is truly a must-do on New Zealand’s South Island.