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

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

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

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

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

Things to do

Whale watching in Winter

Whale Watching in Kaikoura by Boat

฿3,450
per adult
78% of travellers recommend
Whale Watching in Kaikoura by Boat
Private Kaikoura Whale Watching Day Trip from Christchurch

Kaikoura Whale Watching Day Trip from Christchurch

฿5,766
per adult
Kaikoura Whale Watching Day Trip from Christchurch
Private Seal Kayaking and Wildlife Tour in Kaikoura

Private Seal Kayaking and Wildlife Tour in Kaikoura

฿2,595
per adult
Private Seal Kayaking and Wildlife Tour in Kaikoura
Kaikoura: Extended Flight Whale Watching & Mountain Tour

Kaikoura: Extended Flight Whale Watching & Mountain Tour

฿7,592
per adult
Kaikoura: Extended Flight Whale Watching & Mountain Tour
Jumping dolphins in Kaikoura dolphin swimming tour in Christchurch New Zealand.

Swim with Dolphins in Kaikoura

฿7,881
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

฿7,016
per adult
Full-Day Kaikoura Whale-Watching Tour
See all activities in Kaikōura

Top hotels in South Bay

Bay Cottages

Bay Cottages

3 out of 5
29a South Bay Parade, Kaikoura
The price is ฿2,642 per night from 26 Sept to 27 Sept
฿2,642
฿3,038 total
26 Sept - 27 Sept
includes taxes & fees
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 ...
Bay Cottages
Sudima Kaikoura

Sudima Kaikoura

5 out of 5
Esplanade, 114, Kaikoura, Canterbury
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ฿3,042 per night from 31 Aug to 1 Sept
฿3,042
฿3,499 total
31 Aug - 1 Sept
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! (405 reviews)
"Loved the beds, so comfy"

Reviewed on 24 Aug 2025

Sudima Kaikoura
Kaikoura Waterfront Apartments

Kaikoura Waterfront Apartments

3 out of 5
126 Esplanade, Kaikoura, Canterbury
The price is ฿2,648 per night from 31 Aug to 1 Sept
฿2,648
฿3,045 total
31 Aug - 1 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Kaikōura. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and premium TV channels. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (541 reviews)
"Lovely spacious apartment, well set up. Warm and welcoming. Friendly staff. Immaculately clean. Great location"

Reviewed on 25 Aug 2025

Kaikoura Waterfront Apartments
Mondello Kaikoura

Mondello Kaikoura

3 out of 5
29 Beach Rd, Kaikoura, Canterbury
The price is ฿2,632 per night from 6 Sept to 7 Sept
฿2,632
฿3,026 total
6 Sept - 7 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star motel in Kaikōura. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a garden. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their reviews. ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (380 reviews)
"Overall very good"

Reviewed on 10 Aug 2025

Mondello Kaikoura
Kaikoura Quality Suites

Kaikoura Quality Suites

3.5 out of 5
154 Beach Road, Kaikoura
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ฿2,565 per night from 31 Aug to 1 Sept
฿2,565
฿2,950 total
31 Aug - 1 Sept
includes taxes & fees
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! (319 reviews)
"Did everything that we expected it to. No fuss whatsoever. Great place. Would stay again"

Reviewed on 24 Aug 2025

Kaikoura Quality Suites
Alpine-pacific Holiday Park

Alpine-pacific Holiday Park

3 out of 5
69 Beach Road, Kaikoura
The price is ฿2,002 per night from 6 Sept to 7 Sept
฿2,002
฿2,303 total
6 Sept - 7 Sept
includes taxes & fees
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! (414 reviews)
"Great place, nice and clean and the staff are lovely and helpful!"

Reviewed on 25 Aug 2025

Alpine-pacific Holiday Park
See all 183 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, Peninsula Walkway and Point Kean Seal Colony 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