Kaikoura

If you like the water and all things that call it home, you will like Kaikoura. Marine mammals tend to capture visitors attention in this coastal town tucked in between the Seaward Kaikoura Range and the Pacific Ocean.
Whales, fur seals and dolphins swim, jump and play in the waters here. Whale watching trips run several times a day throughout the year and someone always seem ready to put on a show. If you’re willing to zip up a wetsuit and get wet you can swim with dusky dolphins in the open ocean or swim with New Zealand Fur Seals in the shallow waters of the Kaikoura Peninsula.
Prefer to stay warm and dry? You can hike the Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway to visit a seal colony, take a bird watching tour or visit the Fyffe House, a colonial Whaler’s cottage.

Practical Info

Kaikoura is about a two hour drive north of Christchurch, making it an easy daytrip option. Kaikoura is located in northern Canterbury, on the east coast of the South Island. Its seaside location makes the peninsula a sought after destination for visitors. While just 3,600 people call Kaikoura home, more than 800,000 folks visit each year.