South Bay

Kaikōura

Person standing at lake with Kaikoura Seaward Range, Kaikoura South Island New Zealand
Person standing at lake with Kaikoura Seaward Range, Kaikoura South Island New Zealand
Small but beautiful town. Tons to do. Sadly my seal encounter got cancelled due to weather, but my dolphin encounter was the best thing I've ever done in my entire life. And I heard the whale watching was also phenomenal. When I get back to NZ (hopefully one day), I'll definitely be doing all 3 and spending more time here!

Popular places to visit

Peninsula Walkway featuring general coastal views and rugged coastline

Peninsula Walkway

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

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

Find out about the history of Kaikōura when you spend time 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

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 Museum

You can spend an afternoon browsing the exhibits at Kaikoura Museum during your travels in Kaikōura. Wander the seaside or discover the area's mountain views.

Kaikoura Museum

Fyffe House

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

Fyffe House

Things to do

Kaikoura: Whale Watching Flight

Kaikōura Whale Watching Scenic Flight (40 Minutes)

P9,637
per adult
Kaikōura Whale Watching Scenic Flight (40 Minutes)
Whale tail splashing in water in the Kaikour whale watching tour in Christchurch New Zealand.

Full-Day Kaikoura Whale-Watching Tour

P12,967
per adult
Full-Day Kaikoura Whale-Watching Tour
Whale watching in Winter

Whale Watching in Kaikoura by Boat

P6,290
per adult
78% of travellers recommend
Whale Watching in Kaikoura by Boat
Picture 7 for Activity Kaikoura: Seal-Watching Pedal Kayak Tour

Kaikoura: Seal-Watching Pedal Kayak Tour

P4,871
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Kaikoura: Seal-Watching Pedal Kayak Tour
Kaikōura: Zipline and Native Forest Adventure Trip

Kaikōura: Zipline and Native Forest Adventure Trip

P7,324
per adult
Kaikōura: Zipline and Native Forest Adventure Trip
Seal Swim Kaikoura

Seal Swimming Tour from Kaikoura

P5,572
per adult
Seal Swimming Tour from Kaikoura
See all activities in Kaikōura

Top hotels in South Bay

Bay Cottages

Bay Cottages

3 out of 5
29a South Bay Parade Kaikoura
Book a stay at this beach cottage in Kaikōura. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and free bicycles on site. Popular attractions Kaikoura District Museum and Kaikoura ...
9/10 Wonderful! (110 reviews)
Super great little place with courteous hosts !

Reviewed on Jan 24, 2026

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Bay Cottages
Sudima Kaikoura

Sudima Kaikoura

5 out of 5
Esplanade, 114 Kaikoura Canterbury
The price is P7,043 per night from Mar 23 to Mar 24
P7,043
P8,100 total
Mar 23 - Mar 24
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this 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! (520 reviews)
Sunny room

Reviewed on Mar 9, 2026

Sudima Kaikoura
Alpine-pacific Holiday Park

Alpine-pacific Holiday Park

3 out of 5
69 Beach Road Kaikoura
The price is P3,988 per night from Mar 23 to Mar 24
P3,988
P4,587 total
Mar 23 - Mar 24
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this holiday park in Kaikōura. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Kaikoura Museum and Kaikoura District Museum are ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (468 reviews)
No problem with pet. Pool was being enjoyed by others, I don’t swim

Reviewed on Mar 9, 2026

Alpine-pacific Holiday Park
Kaikoura Quality Suites

Kaikoura Quality Suites

3.5 out of 5
154 Beach Road Kaikoura
The price is P4,970 per night from Mar 24 to Mar 25
P4,970
P5,716 total
Mar 24 - Mar 25
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 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! (434 reviews)
Pleasant accommodation once we had done a bit of diy on the shower so it could be used without spraying the whole bathroom.

Reviewed on Mar 9, 2026

Kaikoura Quality Suites
Kaikoura Waterfront Apartments

Kaikoura Waterfront Apartments

3 out of 5
126 Esplanade Kaikoura Canterbury
The price is P6,323 per night from Mar 17 to Mar 18
P6,323
P7,272 total
Mar 17 - Mar 18
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Kaikōura. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and bicycle rentals on site. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (601 reviews)
Good location, comfortable bed and good shower. Confusing check-in as booked on hotels .com but didn’t staff not

Reviewed on Mar 10, 2026

Kaikoura Waterfront Apartments
Alpine View Motel

Alpine View Motel

3 out of 5
146 Beach Road Kaikoura
The price is P4,777 per night from Mar 20 to Mar 21
P4,777
P5,494 total
Mar 20 - Mar 21
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this motel in Kaikōura. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a beach locale. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions Kaikoura ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (556 reviews)
Office chap was excellent. Very happy man.

Reviewed on Mar 9, 2026

Alpine View Motel
See all 176 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

Beautiful unique adorable new zealand fur seal resting on the rocks spotted in Kaikōura Peninsula Walkway, Canterbury. Amazing marine mammals spotted in New Zealand

Kaikoura Peninsula

While visiting Kaikoura Peninsula, you might make a stop by sights like Peninsula Walkway and Point Kean Seal Colony.

Kaikoura Peninsula
Walking around Kaikoura Peninsula, New Zealand on a beautiful Spring day.

Kaikoura Flat

If you're spending some time in Kaikoura Flat, Mount Fyffe and Kaikoura Beach are top sights worth seeing.

Kaikoura Flat

South Bay