The Complete Travel Guide to Kaikoura 🗺️ [2023]

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What to Do in Kaikoura

Marine wildlife is the name of the game in Kaikoura. Whale watching cruises, whale watching flights, dolphins swimming, seal swimming, albatross cruises and spotting seals along the walking trails are the main items on the activity menu. Nevertheless, there are a few unforgettable experiences for hikers, surfers, mountain bikers, foodies, photographers and farm animal lovers, so it’s always worth digging deeper into the activity pool of Kaikoura.

The Top Experiences in Kaikoura

What are the must-dos? Here are some of the Kaikoura highlights:

• Watch a seal colony take a nap on the Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway or other walks in Kaikoura
• Take a hike or mountain bike on Mt Fyffe
• Swim with dolphins with Dolphin Encounter
• Kayak with cute fur seals with Seal Kayak Kaikoura and Kaikoura Kayaks (more info on Viator and Klook)
• Go on a whale cruise with Whale Watch Kaikoura (on Viator or Klook)
• Get close to the world’s largest seabirds with Albatross Encounter
• See whales from the skies with Wings Over Whales (more info on Viator and Klook)
• Surf at Ocean Fun Reefs or Manamaunu…

… And the list continues over on our 20 Best Things to Do in Kaikoura.

Rainy Day Activities in Kaikoura

Don’t let a rainy day spoil the fun! Make sure you have a few wet weather backups at the ready, such as:

• Visit the Kaikoura Museum
• Watch a sheep shearing show at Point Sheep Shearing
• See Kaikoura’s oldest surviving building, Fyffe House.

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Where to Stay in Kaikoura

Other than the accommodations we recommend on the righthand side of this complete travel guide to Kaikoura (or at the bottom if you’re on mobile), we have compiled entire lists of places to stay based on price, what’s best for families or a couples’ getaway, as well as premium stays. What’s more, each list is compiled by real travel writers; not some algorithm.

• 21 Best Hotels & Places to Stay
• 20 Best Motels
• 5 Best Backpacker Hostels
• 15 Best Budget Accommodations
• 10 Best Family Accommodations
• 15 Best Luxury Accommodations
• 10 Most Romantic Accommodations
• 10 Best Self-Catering Accommodations.

© ChristchurchNZ

Kaikoura for Budget Travellers

Kaikoura might be famous for its “pricey” activities, like whale watching, swimming with dolphins, quad biking and much more. However, it’s easy to stick to your budget thanks to the free things to do, as well as a few cheap activities to fill up the rest of your time. What’s more, Kaikoura might be a small town, but it has a fantastic selection of budget accommodation, so you can concentrate your budget more on experiences. Find out more in our Kaikoura – Guide for Backpackers and The Guide to Kaikoura on a Budget.

Things to Do on a Budget

• Watch the seals at the Point Kean car park
• See Kaikoura’s oldest surviving building, Fyffe House
• Walk the Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway
• Visit the Kaikoura Museum
• Get a photo on Kaikoura Beach.

For more ideas and information on budget activities, check out the 15 Free & Cheap Things to Do in Kaikoura.

Cheap Accommodation

From holiday parks to motels to backpacker hostels, there’s a range of budget accommodations in Kaikoura to suit all traveller types. Check out some of our top recommendations in the 15 Best Budget Accommodations in Kaikoura and the 5 Best Backpacker Hostels in Kaikoura.

© Miles Holden - Tourism New Zealand

Kaikoura for Luxury Travellers

Kaikoura is a small down-to-earth town with big adventures. While you won’t find an array of luxury hotels or fine dining here, you will, however, find a small selection of premium activities. Think: soaring over whales in a plane or helicopter, playing golf at one of the most scenic courses in the country, hiking a multi-day trail exclusively for up to 10 people at a time, and more! Learn more about how to make your stay a luxury stay in Kaikoura with The Luxury Guide to Kaikoura.

Luxury Experiences

• Fly over the whales and dolphins on a scenic flight with Wings Over Whales (more info on Viator and Klook) or Air Kaikoura
• Land in the majestic Kaikoura Mountains via a helicopter tour with South Pacific Helicopters or Kaikoura Helicopters
• Sample fresh crayfish at one of the local restaurants (see section below)
• Walk the private Kaikoura Coast Track
• Play golf on the Kaikoura Golf Course.

For more information on these luxury activities, check out the 7 Best Luxury Experiences in Kaikoura.

Luxury Accommodation

While Kaikoura might not be home to five-star hotels, it does have a collection of boutique lodges, upscale apartments and unique stays that offers something special for the luxury traveller. Find out more about these places to stay in the 15 Best Luxury Accommodations in Kaikoura.

© Dan Kerins - Destination Kaikoura

Kaikoura for Families

If you’re touring New Zealand with kids, then a stop by Kaikoura is a no-brainer. The coastal town boasts some of the most awe-inspiring wildlife encounters that travellers of all ages are bound to appreciate. There’s also room to spend some downtime as a family, playing mini-golf or checking out the local museum. Either way, you can be rest assured that you’ll have comfortable accommodation to come back to in Kaikoura, with plenty of family accommodation available – just make sure you book in advance if you are travelling in summer! For more advice, see The Guide to Kaikoura for Families.

Things to Do with Kids

• Kayak with cute fur seals in their element with Seal Kayak Kaikoura and Kaikoura Kayaks (more info on Viator and Klook)
• Enjoy a scenic journey on the Coastal Pacific train
• Go on a whale-watching cruise with Whale Watch Kaikoura (on Viator or Klook)
• Watch a sheep shearing show and hold a lamb at The Point B&B & Campsite
• Challenge everyone to a game of mini-golf or an escape room at The Emporium.

For more information, see our 10 Things to Do in Kaikoura with Kids!

Family Accommodation

Family rooms aren’t too hard to come by in the town of Kaikoura. Motels and holiday parks make your most abundant option, while luxury apartments provide all the comforts of home and more. Check them out in the 10 Best Family Accommodations in Kaikoura.

© ChristchurchNZ

Kaikoura for Couples

Kaikoura certainly strikes the balance of adventuring together and relaxing together. Head out on the water in a double kayak to see seals close-up and work as a team to explore the rugged coastline, watch the majestic giant albatrosses that are known to mate for life, and walk hand-in-hand along the Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway. Explore more ideas, as well as places to eat and places to stay, in The Honeymoon & Romantic Getaway Guide to Kaikoura.

Things to Do for Couples

• Make your heart melt feeding the lambs at The Point B&B & Campsite
• Learn a new skill with surf lessons with Kiwi Surf Experience
• Test your relationship in a double kayak with Seal Kayak Kaikoura or Kaikoura Kayaks (more info on Viator and Klook)
• Team up to solve an escape room and try some craft beer at The Emporium
• Watch one of the world’s most romantic birds on a cruise with Albatross Encounter.

For more details on each activity, as well as ideas for a few others, see our 10 Most Romantic Things to Do in Kaikoura.

Romantic Accommodation

While Kaikoura offers a varied array of accommodations, from hostels to hotels, we find that the most romantic accommodation options are boutique lodges, with almost all rooms being exclusively for couples. Find out more in the 10 Best Romantic Accommodations in Kaikoura.

© Neat Places Kaikoura- Destination Kaikoura

Kaikoura for Foodies

It’s in the name! “Kai”, the Maori word for food, and “koura” meaning crayfish, has been a hotspot for fresh seafood for centuries. It’s not just seafood, however, as the town is home to passionate artisans eager to share their fare.

Food Tours and Experiences in Kaikoura

• Get off the beaten track to the boutique Mt. Fyffe Distillery
• Pair bites and craft beer at The Emporium
• Sample exquisite sparkling wine at the tasting room of Esses Kaikoura
• Check out the Kaikoura Farmers’ Market every Sunday from spring until autumn
• Pick up honey and other artisan goodies at BeeBox.

Where to Eat in Kaikoura

• Beach House Cafe (39 Beach Road)
• Kaikoura Seafood BBQ (55 Fyffe Quay)
• Sime’s Kitchen (33 Beach Road)
• Nin’s Bin (State Highway 1)
• Poppy’s Ice Cream Parlour (18 West End)
• Zephyr (40 West End)
• Black Rabbit Pizzas (17 Beach Road)
• Bernie’s Diner (57a Beach Road)
• Coopers Catch (9 West End)

Foodie Accommodation

Whether you’re looking for a hotel with a restaurant to roll out of bed for or a convenient stay with kitchen facilities to spruce up your own “kai”, you’ll find a place to suit between the 21 Best Hotels & Places to Stay in Kaikoura and 10 Best Self-Catering Accommodations in Kaikoura.