South Bay Travel Guide

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

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

฿3,393
per adult
78% of travellers recommend
Whale Watching in Kaikoura by Boat
Kaikoura: Whale Watching Flight

Kaikōura Whale Watching Scenic Flight (40 Minutes)

฿5,198
per adult
Kaikōura Whale Watching Scenic Flight (40 Minutes)
Picture 7 for Activity Kaikoura: Seal-Watching Pedal Kayak Tour

Kaikoura: Seal-Watching Pedal Kayak Tour

฿2,627
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

฿3,762
per adult
Kaikōura: Zipline and Native Forest Adventure Trip
EcoZop Kaikoura dual ziplines

Half Day Zipline Adventure in Kaikoura

฿3,762
per adult
Half Day Zipline Adventure in Kaikoura
Kaikoura Helicopters Extended Whale Watch flight

Kaikoura Helicopters Extended Whale Watch

฿9,546
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
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 ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (110 reviews)
Super great little place with courteous hosts !

Reviewed on 24 Jan 2026

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Bay Cottages
Sudima Kaikoura

Sudima Kaikoura

5 out of 5
Esplanade, 114 Kaikoura Canterbury
The price is ฿4,177 per night from 3 Mar to 4 Mar
฿4,177
฿4,803 total
3 Mar - 4 Mar
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! (501 reviews)
Great room Omni the top floor with an excellent view of the ocean. Very clean and the staff are very friendly and helpful.

Reviewed on 17 Feb 2026

Sudima Kaikoura
Alpine-pacific Holiday Park

Alpine-pacific Holiday Park

3 out of 5
69 Beach Road Kaikoura
The price is ฿2,218 per night from 5 Mar to 6 Mar
฿2,218
฿2,551 total
5 Mar - 6 Mar
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 ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (456 reviews)
Clean room, staff friendly and helpful

Reviewed on 13 Feb 2026

Alpine-pacific Holiday Park
Kaikoura Quality Suites

Kaikoura Quality Suites

3.5 out of 5
154 Beach Road Kaikoura
The price is ฿2,623 per night from 21 Mar to 22 Mar
฿2,623
฿3,016 total
21 Mar - 22 Mar
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! (419 reviews)
friendly staff and clean room.

Reviewed on 8 Feb 2026

Kaikoura Quality Suites
Kaikoura Waterfront Apartments

Kaikoura Waterfront Apartments

3 out of 5
126 Esplanade Kaikoura Canterbury
The price is ฿3,541 per night from 11 Mar to 12 Mar
฿3,541
฿4,072 total
11 Mar - 12 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Kaikōura. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and premium TV channels. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (597 reviews)
Great location

Reviewed on 9 Feb 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 ฿2,944 per night from 23 Feb to 24 Feb
฿2,944
฿3,445 total
23 Feb - 24 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this golf holiday park in Kaikōura. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (336 reviews)
Brilliant location, central to everywhere. My lodge had everything you needed and was perfect. A wonderful place to stay.

Reviewed on 15 Feb 2026

Kaikōura TOP 10 Holiday Park
See all 175 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