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 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

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 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

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
Kaikoura Helicopters Extended Whale Watch flight

Kaikoura Helicopters Extended Whale Watch

P17,698
per adult
Kaikoura Helicopters Extended Whale Watch
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 P7,018 per night from Mar 24 to Mar 25
P7,018
P8,071 total
Mar 24 - Mar 25
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! (511 reviews)
Great spot and excellent amenities

Reviewed on Feb 28, 2026

Sudima Kaikoura
Alpine-pacific Holiday Park

Alpine-pacific Holiday Park

3 out of 5
69 Beach Road Kaikoura
The price is P4,511 per night from Mar 5 to Mar 6
P4,511
P5,188 total
Mar 5 - Mar 6
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! (465 reviews)
Staff were friendly but were hanging around the room with cleaning supplies from 9am. Check out was 10am so this felt a little premature and awkward.

Reviewed on Feb 24, 2026

Alpine-pacific Holiday Park
Kaikoura Quality Suites

Kaikoura Quality Suites

3.5 out of 5
154 Beach Road Kaikoura
The price is P4,872 per night from Mar 22 to Mar 23
P4,872
P5,603 total
Mar 22 - Mar 23
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! (426 reviews)
Lovely room, spacious and clean! Great location too!

Reviewed on Feb 26, 2026

Kaikoura Quality Suites
Kaikoura Waterfront Apartments

Kaikoura Waterfront Apartments

3 out of 5
126 Esplanade Kaikoura Canterbury
The price is P5,738 per night from Mar 3 to Mar 4
P5,738
P6,599 total
Mar 3 - Mar 4
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Kaikōura. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and premium TV channels. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (597 reviews)
Great location

Reviewed on Feb 9, 2026

Kaikoura Waterfront Apartments
Kaikōura TOP 10 Holiday Park

Kaikōura TOP 10 Holiday Park

3 out of 5
34 Beach Rd Kaikoura
The price is P5,727 per night from Mar 9 to Mar 10
P5,727
P6,701 total
Mar 9 - Mar 10
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this golf holiday park in Kaikōura. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (341 reviews)
Loved the cabin, wonderfully clean, the other amenities at Top 10 were great too. Perfect for our needs.

Reviewed on Feb 28, 2026

Kaikōura TOP 10 Holiday Park
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