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

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

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

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

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

Whale watching in Winter

Whale Watching in Kaikoura by Boat

Rp1.767.622
per adult
72% 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

Rp3.594.530
per adult
Full-Day Kaikoura Whale-Watching Tour
Private Kaikoura Whale Watching Day Trip from Christchurch

Kaikoura Whale Watching Day Trip from Christchurch

Rp2.954.408
per adult
Kaikoura Whale Watching Day Trip from Christchurch
Kaikoura: Extended Flight Whale Watching & Mountain Tour

Kaikoura: Extended Flight Whale Watching & Mountain Tour

Rp3.889.970
per adult
Kaikoura: Extended Flight Whale Watching & Mountain Tour
Kaikōura: Zipline and Native Forest Adventure Trip

Kaikōura: Zipline and Native Forest Adventure Trip

Rp1.959.757
per adult
Kaikōura: Zipline and Native Forest Adventure Trip
Jumping dolphins in Kaikoura dolphin swimming tour in Christchurch New Zealand.

Swim with Dolphins in Kaikoura

Rp4.037.691
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Swim with Dolphins in Kaikoura
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Top hotels in South Bay

Bay Cottages
Bay Cottages
3 out of 5
29a South Bay Parade, Kaikoura
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 ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (106 reviews)
"We had a lovely overnight stay. Gus was very friendly and helpful. Situated right across the road from the ocean. Would thoroughly recommend Bay Cottages. 🙂"

Reviewed on 18 Apr 2025

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Bay Cottages
Sudima Kaikoura
Sudima Kaikoura
5 out of 5
Esplanade, 114, Kaikoura, Canterbury
The price is Rp1.459.533 per night from 13 Jul to 14 Jul
Rp1.459.533
Rp1.678.463 total
13 Jul - 14 Jul
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! (381 reviews)
"Great hotel would stay again"

Reviewed on 1 Jul 2025

Sudima Kaikoura
Kaikoura Quality Suites
Kaikoura Quality Suites
3.5 out of 5
154 Beach Road, Kaikoura
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! (309 reviews)
"Lovely space and welcoming staff, very helpful made staying in this stunning location memorable, would definitely return. Thanks."

Reviewed on 28 Jun 2025

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Kaikoura Quality Suites
Kaikoura Beach Motel
Kaikoura Beach Motel
2.5 out of 5
124 Esplanade, Kaikoura, Canterbury
Stay at this motel in Kaikōura. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and laundry facilities. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (360 reviews)
"Grest for a short stay"

Reviewed on 22 Jun 2025

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Kaikoura Beach Motel
Alpine-pacific Holiday Park
Alpine-pacific Holiday Park
3 out of 5
69 Beach Road, Kaikoura
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! (405 reviews)
"Friendly, helpful staff, beautifully clean rooms with a very comfortable bed in the cabins, a very hot shower, a hot tub for the winter, nice and quiet in the extensive grounds and a beautiful view over fields and the snow-capped mountains away from the noise of road traffic on a state highway."

Reviewed on 17 Jun 2025

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Alpine-pacific Holiday Park
The White Morph - Heritage Collection
The White Morph - Heritage Collection
4.5 out of 5
92-94 The Esplanade, Kaikoura
The price is Rp1.526.341 per night from 4 Jul to 5 Jul
Rp1.526.341
Rp1.755.316 total
4 Jul - 5 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star beach motel in Kaikōura. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a business centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (608 reviews)
"Love this place. The room is super clean and tidy. Easy to check in and oit"

Reviewed on 21 May 2025

The White Morph - Heritage Collection
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

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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 Kaikoura Beach and Mount Fyffe.

Kaikoura Flat

South Bay Travel Guide