Kaikōura

Travel Guide

A coastal landscape with mountains in the background and a turquoise sea in the foreground.
A winding dirt path through a grassy coastal landscape.
Rolling green hills, a distant mountain range with snow-capped peaks, and a clear blue sky.
A small blue and white airplane flying over a mountainous landscape.
A sign for a helicopter whale watch service with a backdrop of snow-capped mountains.

Where to stay in Kaikōura

Find the best Kaikōura areas and neighborhoods for the activities you enjoy most. Learn more about Kaikōura
Learn more about Kaikōura
A rocky shoreline with a person standing on the rocks, overlooking a calm sea and a mountain in the background.

South Bay

While there might not be top attractions in South Bay, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Peninsula Walkway and Point Kean Seal Colony.

A coastal landscape with a rocky shoreline, a clear blue sea, and distant snow-capped mountains.

Kaikoura Flat

If you're spending some time in Kaikoura Flat, Mount Fyffe and Kaikoura Beach are top sights worth seeing.

A seal resting on a rocky surface.

Kaikoura Peninsula

While visiting Kaikoura Peninsula, you might make a stop by sights like Peninsula Walkway and Point Kean Seal Colony.

Sudima Kaikoura

Sudima Kaikoura

5 out of 5
Esplanade, 114 Kaikoura Canterbury
The price is ￥15,536 per night from Oct 26 to Oct 27
￥15,536
￥17,866 total
Oct 26 - Oct 27
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this luxury hotel in Kaikōura. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (636 reviews)
"This was such a nice hotel, I wish we could have stayed longer. They had included such nice amenities like shower bombs and custom pillows (I used the shower bomb but just a regular pillow, which was still very nice!) the staff was super friendly too!"

Reviewed on Oct 19, 2026

Sudima Kaikoura
Kaikoura Waterfront Apartments

Kaikoura Waterfront Apartments

3 out of 5
126 Esplanade Kaikoura Canterbury
The price is ￥12,729 per night from Oct 28 to Oct 29
￥12,729
￥14,677 total
Oct 28 - Oct 29
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Kaikōura. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and bicycle rentals on site. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (651 reviews)
"Well appointed hotel/apartment in terms of amenities. Great location with ocean views."

Reviewed on Oct 21, 2026

Kaikoura Waterfront Apartments
Kaikoura Quality Suites

Kaikoura Quality Suites

3.5 out of 5
154 Beach Road Kaikoura
The price is ￥12,113 per night from Oct 28 to Oct 29
￥12,113
￥13,930 total
Oct 28 - Oct 29
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this motel in Kaikōura. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9/10 Wonderful! (525 reviews)
"The value for money was excellent"

Reviewed on Oct 20, 2026

Kaikoura Quality Suites
See all 183 properties in Kaikōura
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.
The Fairways Accommodation Kaikoura

The Fairways Accommodation Kaikoura

3.5 out of 5
1 Kersage Drive - Ocean Ridge Kaikoura
Book a stay at this beach aparthotel in Kaikōura. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (426 reviews)
"Good stay in a beautiful location and helpful friendly staff"

Reviewed on Oct 20, 2026

The Fairways Accommodation Kaikoura
Barnacle Bills

Barnacle Bills

3.5 out of 5
86 Scarborough Street Kaikoura Canterbury
Stay at this cottage in Kaikōura. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Kaikoura Museum and Kaikoura District Museum are located ...
Barnacle Bills
Kaikoura Luxury Apartments

Kaikoura Luxury Apartments

5 out of 5
78 Esplanade Kaikoura Canterbury
Book a stay at this luxury apartment in Kaikōura. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Kaikoura Museum and Kaikoura District ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (52 reviews)
"Lives up to its name!"

Reviewed on Jul 15, 2026

Kaikoura Luxury Apartments
See all properties in Kaikōura
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.

Stay near popular Kaikōura attractions

Peninsula Walkway

9.4/10 (467 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.
See properties

Things to do

Kaikoura: Whale Watching Flight

Kaikoura: Whale Watching Flight

￥19,750
per adult
Kaikoura: Whale Watching Flight
Kaikōura: Zipline and Native Forest Adventure Trip

Kaikōura: Zipline and Native Forest Adventure Trip

￥17,865
per adult
Kaikōura: Zipline and Native Forest Adventure Trip
Whale tail splashing in water in the Kaikour whale watching tour in Christchurch New Zealand.

Full-Day Kaikoura Whale-Watching Tour

￥30,703
per adult
Full-Day Kaikoura Whale-Watching Tour
EcoZop Kaikoura dual ziplines

Half Day Zipline Adventure in Kaikoura

￥17,865
per adult
Half Day Zipline Adventure in Kaikoura
Kaikōura Whale Watching Scenic Flight

Kaikōura Whale Watching Scenic Flight (40 Minutes)

￥26,483
per adult
Kaikōura Whale Watching Scenic Flight (40 Minutes)
Whale watching in Winter

Whale Watching in Kaikoura by Boat

￥16,114
per adult
80% of travellers recommend
Whale Watching in Kaikoura by Boat
See all activities in Kaikōura

Cities near Kaikōura

A coastal landscape with a winding road, green fields, and a large body of water under a cloudy sky.

Hapuku

Other places like Kaikōura

Explore a world of travel with Expedia