South Bay

Kaikoura
Photo by Nicole Smelson
Photo by Nicole Smelson

Popular places to visit

Peninsula Walkway

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

Point Kean Seal Colony

Find out about the history of Kaikoura when you spend time at Point Kean Seal Colony. Stroll along the seaside or discover the area's mountain views.

Point Kean Seal Colony

Fyffe View Ranch Adventure Park

Enjoy an outing to Fyffe View Ranch Adventure Park during your stay in Kaikoura. Wander the seaside or discover the area's mountain views.

Fyffe View Ranch Adventure Park

Kaikoura District Museum

You can spend time exploring the galleries in Kaikoura District Museum during your trip to Kaikoura. Stroll along the seaside or discover the area's mountain views.

Kaikoura District Museum

Fyffe House

You can learn about the history of Kaikoura with a visit to Fyffe House. Stroll along the seaside or discover the area's mountain views.

Fyffe House

Mount Fyffe

Explore the great outdoors at Mount Fyffe and enjoy the mountain views during your trip to Kaikoura. While you're in the area, stroll along the seaside.

Mount Fyffe

Things to do

Whale watching in Winter

Whale Watching in Kaikoura by Boat

P5,876
per adult
Whale Watching in Kaikoura by Boat
Jumping dolphins in Kaikoura dolphin swimming tour in Christchurch New Zealand.

Swim with Dolphins in Kaikoura

P13,421
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Swim with Dolphins in Kaikoura
Kaikōura: Zipline and Native Forest Adventure Trip

Kaikōura: Zipline and Native Forest Adventure Trip

P6,187
per adult
Kaikōura: Zipline and Native Forest Adventure Trip
Picture 6 for Activity Kaikoura: 40-Minute Whale Watching Flight with Commentary

Kaikoura: 40-Minute Whale Watching Flight with Commentary

P9,002
per adult
80% of travellers recommend
Kaikoura: 40-Minute Whale Watching Flight with Commentary
Private Seal Kayaking and Wildlife Tour in Kaikoura

Private Seal Kayaking and Wildlife Tour in Kaikoura

P4,419
per adult
Private Seal Kayaking and Wildlife Tour in Kaikoura
Whale tail splashing in water in the Kaikour whale watching tour in Christchurch New Zealand.

Full-Day Kaikoura Whale-Watching Tour

P11,948
per adult
Full-Day Kaikoura Whale-Watching Tour
See all activities in Kaikoura

Top hotels in South Bay

Bay Cottages
Bay Cottages
3 out of 5
29a South Bay Parade, Kaikoura
The price is P5,502 per night from 26 Jan to 27 Jan
P5,502
P6,327 total
includes taxes & fees
Jan 26 - Jan 27
Stay at this 3-star beach cottage in Kaikoura. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and free bicycles on site. Popular attractions Kaikoura District Museum and Kaikoura ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (102 reviews)
Peaceful in South-Bay Kaikoura
"Tucked away in South Bay, Kaikoura, the Bay Cottages offered us a relaxing stay. Our cottage was spacious, the kitchen well-equipped, the living area and the bed comfy. Everything was very clean and tidy. Its in a great location to explore the Kaikoura area. Only a short drive away from downtown ..."

Reviewed on Jan 13, 2025

Bay Cottages
Sudima Kaikoura
Sudima Kaikoura
4.5 out of 5
Esplanade, 114, Kaikoura, Canterbury
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is P8,226 per night from 30 Jan to 31 Jan
P8,226
P9,460 total
includes taxes & fees
Jan 30 - Jan 31
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Kaikoura. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (261 reviews)
"Hotel is really nice with an outdoor pool and short walk to restaurants and bars whilst being on the beach."

Reviewed on Jan 19, 2025

Sudima Kaikoura
Kaikoura Waterfront Apartments
Kaikoura Waterfront Apartments
3 out of 5
126 Esplanade, Kaikoura, Canterbury
The price is P9,555 per night from 25 Feb to 26 Feb
P9,555
P10,988 total
includes taxes & fees
Feb 25 - Feb 26
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Kaikoura. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and premium TV channels. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (479 reviews)
"Lovely apartment central to everything Kaikōura has to offer. Walking distance to town. Beach across the road. Ultra comfy. Great staff."

Reviewed on Jan 16, 2025

Kaikoura Waterfront Apartments
Alpine-pacific Holiday Park
Alpine-pacific Holiday Park
3 out of 5
69 Beach Road, Kaikoura
The price is P3,707 per night from 28 Jan to 29 Jan
P3,707
P4,263 total
includes taxes & fees
Jan 28 - Jan 29
Stay at this 3-star holiday park in Kaikoura. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Kaikoura Museum and Kaikoura District Museum ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (381 reviews)
"Resented being asked (on a notice) to "wash, dry and put away dishes" for the money I paid."

Reviewed on Jan 22, 2025

Alpine-pacific Holiday Park
Alpine View Motel
Alpine View Motel
3 out of 5
146 Beach Road, Kaikoura
The price is P4,742 per night from 5 Feb to 6 Feb
P4,742
P5,454 total
includes taxes & fees
Feb 5 - Feb 6
Stay at this 3-star motel in Kaikoura. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a beach locale. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (500 reviews)
"Clean, very friendly hosts, great spot with access to the beach and track to walk into town"

Reviewed on Jan 20, 2025

Alpine View Motel
Kaikoura Motor Inn
Kaikoura Motor Inn
3 out of 5
205 Beach Road, Kaikoura
The price is P5,415 per night from 2 Feb to 3 Feb
P5,415
P6,228 total
includes taxes & fees
Feb 2 - Feb 3
Stay at this 3-star eco-certified motel in Kaikoura. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (461 reviews)
"Basic motel setting, no cook top and there’s an electric cooker provide but in unsafe to use condition ( heavy scratched Teflon pan, lid nob half broken), so I only used the toaster and microwave oven. Reception lady is very nice but the reception room has a strange smell, appears to be the uncleaned ..."

Reviewed on Jan 23, 2025

Kaikoura Motor Inn
See all 182 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

Peninsula Walkway showing tranquil scenes

Kaikoura Peninsula

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

Kaikoura Peninsula
Default Image

Kaikoura Flat

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

Kaikoura Flat

South Bay