South Bay Travel Guide

Kaikōura

Photo by Nicole Smelson
Photo by Nicole Smelson

Popular places to visit

Peninsula Walkway

Peninsula Walkway

4.5/5(10 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(11 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

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

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(3 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

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

Things to do

Whale watching in Winter

Whale Watching in Kaikoura by Boat

฿3,519
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

฿5,906
per adult
Kaikoura Whale Watching Day Trip from Christchurch
Whale tail splashing in water in the Kaikour whale watching tour in Christchurch New Zealand.

Full-Day Kaikoura Whale-Watching Tour

฿7,156
per adult
Full-Day Kaikoura Whale-Watching Tour
Kaikōura: Zipline and Native Forest Adventure Trip

Kaikōura: Zipline and Native Forest Adventure Trip

฿3,902
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

฿8,038
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

฿7,744
per adult
Kaikoura: Extended Flight Whale Watching & Mountain Tour
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 Wi-Fi, 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 18 Apr 2025

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Bay Cottages
Sudima Kaikoura
Sudima Kaikoura
5 out of 5
Esplanade, 114, Kaikoura, Canterbury
The price is ฿2,934 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
฿2,934
฿3,374 total
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Kaikōura. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (391 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
Stay at this 3-star holiday park in Kaikōura. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 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

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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 Wi-Fi, free parking and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
9/10 Wonderful! (312 reviews)
"Very enjoyable stay. Would definitely stay again."

Reviewed on 5 Jul 2025

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Kaikoura Quality Suites
Kaikoura Beach Motel
Kaikoura Beach Motel
2.5 out of 5
124 Esplanade, Kaikoura, Canterbury
The price is ฿2,458 per night from 14 Jul to 15 Jul
฿2,458
฿2,826 total
14 Jul - 15 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this motel in Kaikōura. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and laundry facilities. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (370 reviews)
"Everything was good"

Reviewed on 9 Jul 2025

Kaikoura Beach Motel
The White Morph - Heritage Collection
The White Morph - Heritage Collection
4.5 out of 5
92-94 The Esplanade, Kaikoura
The price is ฿3,034 per night from 17 Jul to 18 Jul
฿3,034
฿3,489 total
17 Jul - 18 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star beach motel in Kaikōura. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a business centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
9/10 Wonderful! (612 reviews)
"Great location, and service. Room was clean and well equipped. Highly recommend."

Reviewed on 9 Jul 2025

The White Morph - Heritage Collection
See all 194 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, Point Kean Seal Colony and Peninsula Walkway 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 Mount Fyffe and Kaikoura Beach.

Kaikoura Flat

South Bay Travel Guide