Kaikōura Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Photo provided by Brent Manning
Photo provided by Brent Manning
Photo provided by Brent Manning
Photo provided by Brent Manning
Photo provided by Brent Manning
Photo provided by Brent Manning
Kaikōura
Photo provided by Brent Manning
Photo provided by Brent Manning

Where to stay in Kaikōura

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South Bay

Though South Bay may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Point Kean Seal Colony and Peninsula Walkway.

South Bay
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Kaikoura Flat

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

Kaikoura Flat
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Kaikoura Peninsula

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

Kaikoura Peninsula
Sudima Kaikoura

Sudima Kaikoura

5 out of 5
Esplanade, 114, Kaikoura, Canterbury
The price is NZ$180 per night from 20 July to 21 July
NZ$180
20 July - 21 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Kaikōura. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (392 reviews)
"Nice comfy hotel,"

Reviewed on 10 Jul. 2025

Sudima Kaikoura
Alpine-pacific Holiday Park

Alpine-pacific Holiday Park

3 out of 5
69 Beach Road, Kaikoura
The price is NZ$95 per night from 23 July to 24 July
NZ$95
23 July - 24 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star holiday park in Kaikōura. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Kaikoura Museum and Kaikoura District Museum ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (406 reviews)
"Friendly, helpful staff, beautifully clean rooms with a very comfortable bed in the cabins, a very hot shower, a hot tub for the winter, nice and quiet in the extensive grounds and a beautiful view over fields and the snow-capped mountains away from the noise of road traffic on a state highway."

Reviewed on 17 Jun. 2025

Alpine-pacific Holiday Park
Kaikoura Quality Suites

Kaikoura Quality Suites

3.5 out of 5
154 Beach Road, Kaikoura
The price is NZ$155 per night from 16 July to 17 July
NZ$155
16 July - 17 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star motel in Kaikōura. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9/10 Wonderful! (312 reviews)
"Very enjoyable stay. Would definitely stay again."

Reviewed on 5 Jul. 2025

Kaikoura Quality Suites
See all 196 properties in Kaikōura
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.
The Fairways Accommodation Kaikoura

The Fairways Accommodation Kaikoura

3.5 out of 5
1 Kersage Drive - Ocean Ridge, Kaikoura
Stay at this 3.5-star beach aparthotel in Kaikōura. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (398 reviews)
"Very nice accomodation and a sincere thank you to Deka for your excellent customer service. Highly recommended. Will definitely stay here again."

Reviewed on 16 Jun. 2025

The Fairways Accommodation Kaikoura
Blue Seas Motel

Blue Seas Motel

3.5 out of 5
222 Esplanade, Kaikoura
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Kaikōura. Enjoy free parking, breakfast (surcharge), and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Fyffe House and Peninsula ...
9/10 Wonderful! (71 reviews)
"The view is magnificent."

Reviewed on 12 May 2025

Blue Seas Motel
Barnacle Bills

Barnacle Bills

3.5 out of 5
86 Scarborough Street, Kaikoura, Canterbury
Stay at this 3.5-star cottage in Kaikōura. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Kaikoura Museum and Kaikoura District Museum are ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (17 reviews)
Lovely cottage in handy location
"Lovely stay in the beautiful cottage. We expected rustic but the cottage was well appointed and everything was spotlessly clean. Comfortable and warm beds."

Reviewed on 23 Apr. 2025

Barnacle Bills
See all properties in Kaikōura
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.

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

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

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

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
Private Kaikoura Whale Watching Day Trip from Christchurch

Kaikoura Whale Watching Day Trip from Christchurch

NZ$300
per adult
Kaikoura Whale Watching Day Trip from Christchurch
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
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
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
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
See all activities in Kaikōura

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