Te Koko-o-Kupe / Cloudy Bay is a large, crescent-shaped coastal bay approximately 30 kilometres long and 20 kilometres wide, facing directly into Cook Strait and the Pacific Ocean. Its shores are characterized by gently sloping sand or gravel beaches, with the notable geographical features of the Wairau River delta at its centre and the distinct White Bluffs at its southern end. A narrow strip of shingle known as Te Pokohiwi, or The Boulder Bank, separates the southern Wairau Lagoons from the open bay. The primary access point for paddlers is from the coastal settlement of Rārangi at the bay's northern end. A campsite and car park are located beside the beach at Rārangi, providing facilities for launching. An alternative, more rugged access point is from the Wairau Bar at the river mouth, reached via Wairau Bar Road, where a car park allows for a short walk to the stony beach. The bay itself is not safe for swimming, indicating significant exposure and likely challenging conditions for paddlers, including potential surf and strong currents typical of an open strait. Paddlers should be prepared for a rugged coastal environment with significant fetch and exposure to the prevailing winds and swells of Cook Strait. The area holds considerable historical and cultural significance, with the Wairau Bar being one of the earliest and most important sites of Polynesian settlement in New Zealand. Wildlife includes birdlife in the Wairau Lagoons salt marsh ecosystem. While commercial trawling and dredging occur in the bay, indicating the presence of boat traffic, no specific restrictions or regulations specific to paddling are specified. For calmer swimming and potentially more sheltered paddling, Pukatea / Whites Bay, located approximately 5 kilometres along Port Underwood Road at the bay's northern extremity, is a more suitable spot.