Te Waikoropupū Springs

Te Waikoropupū Springs (known as Pupū Springs) are the largest freshwater springs in New Zealand, the largest cold water springs in the Southern Hemisphere and contain some of the clearest water ever measured and probably one of Golden Bay's most famous attractions.

There are three large freshwater springs a few kilometres offshore at depths of 12 to14 metres. It is thought that these are part of the limestone water system, and as freshwater flows out, some seawater is drawn into the vents, finding its way to the main vent at Pupu.

The qualities of the water from Te Waikoropupū Springs are of considerable scientific interest. In 1993, The National Institute for Water and Atmosphere (NIWA) carried out optical measurements under water and found that the visibility was 63 metres.

This is very close to optically pure water, with clearer water found only beneath Antarctica’s near-frozen Weddell Sea. The water clarity is a result of natural filtering prior to the water’s emergence at Te Waikoropupū Springs.

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