South Bay Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Photo by Nicole Smelson
Photo by Nicole Smelson

Popular places to visit

Peninsula Walkway

Peninsula Walkway

4.5/5(81 reviews)

Go wildlife spotting as you hike on a coastal route across cliff tops and down to the shoreline. See whales, seals, sea lions and much more.

Peninsula Walkway

Point Kean Seal Colony

4.5/5(80 reviews)

Find out about the history of Kaikōura with a stop at Point Kean Seal Colony. Stroll along the seaside or discover the area's mountain views.

Point Kean Seal Colony

Mount Fyffe

4/5(27 reviews)

Explore the great outdoors at Mount Fyffe and enjoy the mountain views during your trip to Kaikōura. While you're in the area, stroll along the seaside.

Mount Fyffe

Fyffe View Ranch Adventure Park

4/5(6 reviews)

Enjoy an outing to Fyffe View Ranch Adventure Park during your stay in Kaikōura. Wander the seaside or discover the area's mountain views.

Fyffe View Ranch Adventure Park

Kaikoura District Museum

4.5/5(27 reviews)

You can spend time browsing the exhibits at Kaikoura District Museum during your trip to Kaikōura. Stroll along the seaside or discover the area's mountain views.

Kaikoura District Museum

Fyffe House

4/5(13 reviews)

You can learn about the history of Kaikōura with a trip to Fyffe House. Stroll along the seaside or discover the area's mountain views.

Fyffe House

Activities

Whale watching in Winter

Whale Watching in Kaikoura by Boat

NZ$179
per adult
72% of travellers recommend
Whale Watching in Kaikoura by Boat
Whale tail splashing in water in the Kaikour whale watching tour in Christchurch New Zealand.

Full-Day Kaikoura Whale-Watching Tour

NZ$365
per adult
Full-Day Kaikoura Whale-Watching Tour
Kaikōura: Zipline and Native Forest Adventure Trip

Kaikōura: Zipline and Native Forest Adventure Trip

NZ$199
per adult
Kaikōura: Zipline and Native Forest Adventure Trip
Jumping dolphins in Kaikoura dolphin swimming tour in Christchurch New Zealand.

Swim with Dolphins in Kaikoura

NZ$410
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Swim with Dolphins in Kaikoura
Kaikoura: Extended Flight Whale Watching & Mountain Tour

Kaikoura: Extended Flight Whale Watching & Mountain Tour

NZ$395
per adult
Kaikoura: Extended Flight Whale Watching & Mountain Tour
Flock of sea birds near boat for Kaikoura Albatross encounter boat tour in Christchurch New Zealand.

Full-Day Albatross Tour in Kaikoura

NZ$360
per adult
Full-Day Albatross Tour in Kaikoura
See all activities in Kaikōura

Our pick of the best South Bay Hotel Deals

Kaikoura Fishing Retreat, not just for fishing!!!
Kaikoura Fishing Retreat, not just for fishing!!!
Kaikoura
The price is NZ$350 per night from 2 July to 3 July
NZ$350
2 July - 3 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this vacation home in Kaikōura. Enjoy laundry facilities and air conditioning. Popular attractions Fyffe House and Peninsula Walkway are located ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (10 reviews)
Kaikora south beach
"Really loved the location. Had never seen this part of Kaikora before. The sea was so calm and looked beatiful the day we arrived. Just a 2 min walk away. House was great, had everthing we needed."

Reviewed on 14 Apr. 2025

Kaikoura Fishing Retreat, not just for fishing!!!
Wakatu (wait a while) Cottage
Wakatu (wait a while) Cottage
South Bay
Book a stay at this family-friendly vacation home in Kaikōura. Enjoy free WiFi, a beach locale, and a garden. Popular attractions Fyffe House and Peninsula Walkway ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (160 reviews)
Neat little place
"Had a great time the cottage was great. Has great heater in tbe hall way and gas fire great. Will be back."

Reviewed on 2 Jun. 2025

Get rates
Wakatu (wait a while) Cottage
Kaikoura's lovely South Bays Cottage
Kaikoura's lovely South Bays Cottage
South Bay
Stay at this vacation home in Kaikōura. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Fyffe House and Peninsula Walkway are located ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (148 reviews)
Great bach
"Great little place, was warm and had everything we needed for the weekend. Quiet location close to walking track."

Reviewed on 13 Apr. 2025

Get rates
Kaikoura's lovely South Bays Cottage
Beach front cottage
Beach front cottage
Kaikoura
The price is NZ$340 per night from 2 July to 3 July
NZ$340
2 July - 3 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this cottage in Kaikōura. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Fyffe House and Peninsula Walkway are ...
9/10 Wonderful! (24 reviews)
Kaikoura Cottage
"An old "dog friendly" cottage that has been modernized with double glazed windows, heat pump, new appliances (fridge, microwave, stove, tv ....). Very comfortable stay. It is opposite the boat launch and they launch boats from 4:00 am so take some earplugs. Good value for money."

Reviewed on 6 Apr. 2025

Beach front cottage
Waterfront 3 -bedroom bungalow opposite the South Bay Marina and public slipway
Waterfront 3 -bedroom bungalow opposite the South Bay Marina and public slipway
Kaikoura
The price is NZ$298 per night from 13 July to 14 July
NZ$298
13 July - 14 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this vacation home in Kaikōura. Popular attractions Fyffe House and Peninsula Walkway are located nearby.
9.6/10 Exceptional! (13 reviews)
Kiwi Bach
"Great spot….clean….great beds and linen…love to stay again sometime"

Reviewed on 4 Jun. 2025

Waterfront 3 -bedroom bungalow opposite the South Bay Marina and public slipway
Cosy | Private | South Bay, Cosy | Private | South Bay
Cosy | Private | South Bay, Cosy | Private | South Bay
Kaikoura
The price is NZ$281 per night from 7 July to 8 July
NZ$281
7 July - 8 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this vacation home in Kaikōura. Enjoy laundry facilities and air conditioning. Popular attractions Kaikoura District Museum and Kaikoura Museum are located ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (4 reviews)
"Cute place, and well stocked with kitchen utensils. Unfortunately a storm moved in and limited what I could do. The neighborhood is really quiet and peaceful. Not too far from main street."

Reviewed on 13 Jun. 2025

Cosy | Private | South Bay, Cosy | Private | South Bay
See all 178 properties in South Bay
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around South Bay

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Kaikoura Peninsula

If you're spending some time in Kaikoura Peninsula, Peninsula Walkway and Point Kean Seal Colony are top sights worth seeing.

Kaikoura Peninsula
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Kaikoura Flat

While visiting Kaikoura Flat, you might make a stop by sights like Kaikoura Beach and Mount Fyffe.

Kaikoura Flat

South Bay Travel Guide

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