South Bay Travel Guide

Kaikōura

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

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

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 Museum

You can spend an afternoon exploring the galleries in Kaikoura Museum during your travels in Kaikōura. Wander the seaside or discover the area's mountain views.

Kaikoura Museum

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

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 ₹9,333 per night from 14 Apr to 15 Apr
₹9,333
₹10,734 total
14 Apr - 15 Apr
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! (520 reviews)
Sunny room

Reviewed on 9 Mar 2026

Sudima Kaikoura
Alpine-pacific Holiday Park

Alpine-pacific Holiday Park

3 out of 5
69 Beach Road Kaikoura
The price is ₹6,313 per night from 23 Mar to 24 Mar
₹6,313
₹7,260 total
23 Mar - 24 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! (471 reviews)
Excellent views & left alone to enjoy 😉

Reviewed on 13 Mar 2026

Alpine-pacific Holiday Park
Kaikoura Quality Suites

Kaikoura Quality Suites

3.5 out of 5
154 Beach Road Kaikoura
The price is ₹7,520 per night from 28 Mar to 29 Mar
₹7,520
₹8,648 total
28 Mar - 29 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! (437 reviews)
warm comfortable room.

Reviewed on 14 Mar 2026

Kaikoura Quality Suites
Kaikoura Waterfront Apartments

Kaikoura Waterfront Apartments

3 out of 5
126 Esplanade Kaikoura Canterbury
The price is ₹9,790 per night from 17 Mar to 18 Mar
₹9,790
₹11,273 total
17 Mar - 18 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Kaikōura. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and bike hire on-site. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (602 reviews)
Yes, we could see the ocean from our room. Unfortunately, it rained during our stay so we didn’t get near as much use from our patio.

Reviewed on 11 Mar 2026

Kaikoura Waterfront Apartments
Alpine View Motel

Alpine View Motel

3 out of 5
146 Beach Road Kaikoura
The price is ₹7,227 per night from 22 Mar to 23 Mar
₹7,227
₹8,312 total
22 Mar - 23 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this motel in Kaikōura. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a beach locale. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (558 reviews)
Clean and tidy also right on the beach

Reviewed on 13 Mar 2026

Alpine View Motel
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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 Travel Guide