South Bay

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

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

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

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

Kaikoura: Whale Watching Flight

Kaikōura Whale Watching Scenic Flight (40 Minutes)

RM653
per adult
Kaikōura Whale Watching Scenic Flight (40 Minutes)
Whale tail splashing in water in the Kaikour whale watching tour in Christchurch New Zealand.

Full-Day Kaikoura Whale-Watching Tour

RM882
per adult
Full-Day Kaikoura Whale-Watching Tour
Kaikōura: Zipline and Native Forest Adventure Trip

Kaikōura: Zipline and Native Forest Adventure Trip

RM496
per adult
Kaikōura: Zipline and Native Forest Adventure Trip
EcoZop Kaikoura dual ziplines

Half Day Zipline Adventure in Kaikoura

RM473
per adult
Half Day Zipline Adventure in Kaikoura
Kaikoura: Coastal and Alpine Scenic Airplane Flight

Kaikoura: Coastal and Alpine Scenic Airplane Flight

RM416
per adult
Kaikoura: Coastal and Alpine Scenic Airplane Flight
Whale watching in Winter

Whale Watching in Kaikoura by Boat

RM427
per adult
78% of travellers recommend
Whale Watching in Kaikoura by Boat
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

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Bay Cottages
Sudima Kaikoura

Sudima Kaikoura

5 out of 5
Esplanade, 114 Kaikoura Canterbury
The price is RM474 per night from 24 Mar to 25 Mar
RM474
RM545 total
24 Mar - 25 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! (510 reviews)
Clean spacious room, great view over beach

Reviewed on 24 Feb 2026

Sudima Kaikoura
Alpine-pacific Holiday Park

Alpine-pacific Holiday Park

3 out of 5
69 Beach Road Kaikoura
The price is RM300 per night from 5 Mar to 6 Mar
RM300
RM345 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 ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (464 reviews)
Staff were friendly but were hanging around the room with cleaning supplies from 9am. Check out was 10am so this felt a little premature and awkward.

Reviewed on 24 Feb 2026

Alpine-pacific Holiday Park
Kaikoura Quality Suites

Kaikoura Quality Suites

3.5 out of 5
154 Beach Road Kaikoura
The price is RM329 per night from 22 Mar to 23 Mar
RM329
RM378 total
22 Mar - 23 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! (426 reviews)
Lovely room, spacious and clean! Great location too!

Reviewed on 26 Feb 2026

Kaikoura Quality Suites
Kaikoura Waterfront Apartments

Kaikoura Waterfront Apartments

3 out of 5
126 Esplanade Kaikoura Canterbury
The price is RM413 per night from 11 Mar to 12 Mar
RM413
RM475 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 RM285 per night from 1 Mar to 2 Mar
RM285
RM333 total
1 Mar - 2 Mar
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 ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (340 reviews)
Unit was very clean & tidy, had everything we needed for our stay, bed & bedding very high standard

Reviewed on 22 Feb 2026

Kaikōura TOP 10 Holiday Park
See all 176 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