South Bay Travel Guide

Kaikōura

Person standing at lake with Kaikoura Seaward Range, Kaikoura South Island New Zealand
South Bay

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

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 with a stop at Point Kean Seal Colony. Stroll along the seaside or discover the area's mountain views.

Point Kean Seal Colony

Kaikoura Museum

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

Kaikoura Museum

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

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

Kaikoura: Whale Watching Flight

Kaikōura Whale Watching Scenic Flight (40 Minutes)

฿5,299
per adult
Kaikōura Whale Watching Scenic Flight (40 Minutes)
Whale watching in Winter

Whale Watching in Kaikoura by Boat

฿3,459
per adult
78% 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

฿7,130
per adult
Full-Day Kaikoura Whale-Watching Tour
Picture 7 for Activity Kaikoura: Seal-Watching Pedal Kayak Tour

Kaikoura: Seal-Watching Pedal Kayak Tour

฿2,611
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

฿3,926
per adult
Kaikōura: Zipline and Native Forest Adventure Trip
EcoZop Kaikoura dual ziplines

Half Day Zipline Adventure in Kaikoura

฿3,738
per adult
Half Day Zipline Adventure 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 beach cottage in Kaikōura. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and free bicycles on-site. Popular attractions Kaikoura District Museum and Kaikoura Museum ...
9/10 Wonderful! (110 reviews)
"Super great little place with courteous hosts !"

Reviewed on 24 Jan 2026

Get rates
Bay Cottages
Sudima Kaikoura

Sudima Kaikoura

5 out of 5
Esplanade, 114 Kaikoura Canterbury
The price is ฿2,624 per night from 27 May to 28 May
฿2,624
฿3,017 total
27 May - 28 May
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Kaikōura. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (583 reviews)
"Very clean and comfortable. Spacious room. Staff were polite and welcoming. Nothing negative to say."

Reviewed on 23 May 2026

Sudima Kaikoura
Kaikoura Quality Suites

Kaikoura Quality Suites

3.5 out of 5
154 Beach Road Kaikoura
The price is ฿2,118 per night from 28 May to 29 May
฿2,118
฿2,436 total
28 May - 29 May
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this motel in Kaikōura. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
9/10 Wonderful! (496 reviews)
"Spacious room, easy drive into town and attractions"

Reviewed on 23 May 2026

Kaikoura Quality Suites
Alpine-pacific Holiday Park

Alpine-pacific Holiday Park

3 out of 5
69 Beach Road Kaikoura
The price is ฿1,510 per night from 9 Jun to 10 Jun
฿1,510
฿1,737 total
9 Jun - 10 Jun
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this holiday park in Kaikōura. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Kaikoura Museum and Kaikoura District Museum are ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (493 reviews)
"Tired room, badly patched walls. Good amenities, hot tub is great, bright room at night, curtains were not v good"

Reviewed on 7 May 2026

Alpine-pacific Holiday Park
Kaikoura Boutique Hotel

Kaikoura Boutique Hotel

4.5 out of 5
146 Esplanade Kaikoura Canterbury
The price is ฿3,255 per night from 26 May to 27 May
฿3,255
฿3,743 total
26 May - 27 May
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Kaikōura. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
9/10 Wonderful! (376 reviews)
"We love this charming hotel and would stay here again!"

Reviewed on 10 May 2026

Kaikoura Boutique Hotel
Mondello Kaikoura

Mondello Kaikoura

3 out of 5
29 Beach Rd Kaikoura Canterbury
The price is ฿2,390 per night from 2 Jun to 3 Jun
฿2,390
฿2,749 total
2 Jun - 3 Jun
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 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. Popular ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (460 reviews)
"Clean with view on upper floor."

Reviewed on 16 May 2026

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

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

If you're spending some time in Kaikoura Peninsula, Peninsula Walkway and Point Kean Seal Colony are top sights worth seeing.

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

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