We will be traveling through the South Island in two weeks and are wondering if the sand flys are really bad and what should we bring to repeal them. Any help would be appreciated.

It depends on where you go on the S. ISland, and which season. We have only experienced serious sandfly problems on the southwest coast. The Haast area was the worst - swarming and biting from dusk to dawn. A smaller problem along the coastal parts of Fiordland. Once you get inland, to higher elevations and away from water, they are not so bad. The only thing that I have found that works are lotions with a very high percentage DEET (over 50%). My experience is that late spring/early summer is the worst. Don't let them deter you though, the South Island is worrth it!

We just returned home from an extensive trip to NZ. The sandflies are a problem just as the former answer described, but once you use a repelent, you are OK. As the other stated, don't let this problem deter you. it is a marvelous place, you won't regret going there. <BR>Ada

What is the brand name of the best replenmt for sand flies? We leave for NZ 1/15/01 and will be in the South Island the end of Jan and first of Feb. <BR>Thanks

I like "Muskol", my wife prefers "Jungle Juice" (available from Recreational Equipment Inc - REI). I really think, though, that any liquid wipe-on repellant that is close to 50% DEET is not going to be that different from any other brand. <BR> <BR>Here are some photos to tide you over until you leave: <BR> <BR>http://www.justlikebeingthere.com/in/newzealand

well, shoot! There was supposed to be a space between New and Zealand! <BR> <BR>http://www.justlikebeingthere.com/in/new zealand

I always use "OFF". You can get it in any U.S. supermarket and/or drug store. <BR>It does the job very well, and doesn't smell bad. <BR>Have a marvelous trip! <BR>Ada

The sand flies just loved me in NZ and I swelled up big time (everyone told me that they recognize a tourist!). Bring along a good repellent - we found that OFF worked just fine. Don't use the lotion one though, use the spray. Everywhere we have travelled, the lotion seems to attract rather than repel. You will love NZ&gt;

In NZ the most popular brand of snad fly repellent is called "Dimp".