South Bay

Kaikōura

Photo by Nicole Smelson
Photo by Nicole Smelson

Popular places to visit

Peninsula Walkway

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

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

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

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

Kaikoura District Museum

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

Kaikoura District Museum

Things to do

Whale watching in Winter

Whale Watching in Kaikoura by Boat

P6,065
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

P12,334
per adult
Full-Day Kaikoura Whale-Watching Tour
Private Kaikoura Whale Watching Day Trip from Christchurch

Kaikoura Whale Watching Day Trip from Christchurch

P10,137
per adult
Kaikoura Whale Watching Day Trip from Christchurch
Kaikoura: Extended Flight Whale Watching & Mountain Tour

Kaikoura: Extended Flight Whale Watching & Mountain Tour

P13,347
per adult
Kaikoura: Extended Flight Whale Watching & Mountain Tour
Kaikōura: Zipline and Native Forest Adventure Trip

Kaikōura: Zipline and Native Forest Adventure Trip

P6,724
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

P13,854
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Swim with Dolphins in Kaikoura
See all activities in Kaikōura

Top hotels in South Bay

Bay Cottages
Bay Cottages
3 out of 5
29a South Bay Parade, Kaikoura
Stay at this 3-star beach cottage in Kaikōura. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and free bicycles on site. Popular attractions Kaikoura District Museum and Kaikoura ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (106 reviews)
"We had a lovely overnight stay. Gus was very friendly and helpful. Situated right across the road from the ocean. Would thoroughly recommend Bay Cottages. 🙂"

Reviewed on Apr 18, 2025

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Bay Cottages
Sudima Kaikoura
Sudima Kaikoura
5 out of 5
Esplanade, 114, Kaikoura, Canterbury
The price is P5,144 per night from Jul 2 to Jul 3
P5,144
P5,916 total
Jul 2 - Jul 3
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! (380 reviews)
"Always my first choice if I’m in Kaikoura for work travel. Great service, comfortable rooms, great shower pressure, lots of food options, highly recommended."

Reviewed on Jun 24, 2025

Sudima Kaikoura
Alpine-pacific Holiday Park
Alpine-pacific Holiday Park
3 out of 5
69 Beach Road, Kaikoura
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! (405 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 Jun 17, 2025

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Alpine-pacific Holiday Park
Kaikoura Quality Suites
Kaikoura Quality Suites
3.5 out of 5
154 Beach Road, Kaikoura
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! (308 reviews)
"The Host Fiona is amazing and lovely to talk to as well as such a top class host. Definately Reccommended."

Reviewed on Jun 22, 2025

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Kaikoura Quality Suites
Kaikoura Beach Motel
Kaikoura Beach Motel
2.5 out of 5
124 Esplanade, Kaikoura, Canterbury
Stay at this motel in Kaikōura. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and laundry facilities. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (360 reviews)
"Grest for a short stay"

Reviewed on Jun 22, 2025

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Kaikoura Beach Motel
Mondello Kaikoura
Mondello Kaikoura
3 out of 5
29 Beach Rd, Kaikoura, Canterbury
Stay at this 3-star motel in Kaikōura. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. Popular ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (366 reviews)
"Impeccably clean, lots of space, extremely good value and friendly staff"

Reviewed on Jun 11, 2025

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Mondello Kaikoura
See all 177 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

Peninsula Walkway showing tranquil scenes

Kaikoura Peninsula

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

Kaikoura Peninsula
Default Image

Kaikoura Flat

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

Kaikoura Flat

South Bay