South Bay Travel Guide

Kaikōura

Person standing at lake with Kaikoura Seaward Range, Kaikoura South Island New Zealand
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

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

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

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

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

Top hotels in South Bay

Bay Cottages

Bay Cottages

3 out of 5
29a South Bay Parade Kaikoura
The price is ₹9,976 per night from 8 Feb to 9 Feb
₹9,976
₹11,551 total
8 Feb - 9 Feb
includes taxes & fees
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 ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (110 reviews)
Super great little place with courteous hosts !

Reviewed on 24 Jan 2026

Bay Cottages
Sudima Kaikoura

Sudima Kaikoura

5 out of 5
Esplanade, 114 Kaikoura Canterbury
The price is ₹13,104 per night from 30 Jan to 31 Jan
₹13,104
₹15,069 total
30 Jan - 31 Jan
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! (483 reviews)
Great location, nice clean room

Reviewed on 25 Jan 2026

Sudima Kaikoura
Kaikoura Quality Suites

Kaikoura Quality Suites

3.5 out of 5
154 Beach Road Kaikoura
The price is ₹9,418 per night from 27 Feb to 28 Feb
₹9,418
₹10,831 total
27 Feb - 28 Feb
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! (401 reviews)
Clean room, comfortable bed, wonderful staff. Couldn’t be better.

Reviewed on 23 Jan 2026

Kaikoura Quality Suites
Alpine-pacific Holiday Park

Alpine-pacific Holiday Park

3 out of 5
69 Beach Road Kaikoura
The price is ₹6,539 per night from 28 Jan to 29 Jan
₹6,539
₹7,520 total
28 Jan - 29 Jan
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 ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (443 reviews)
It would be great if there was a sign by the spa for user's to be considerate of others wanting to use it.

Reviewed on 22 Jan 2026

Alpine-pacific Holiday Park
Kaikōura TOP 10 Holiday Park

Kaikōura TOP 10 Holiday Park

3 out of 5
34 Beach Rd Kaikoura
The price is ₹7,655 per night from 8 Feb to 9 Feb
₹7,655
₹8,957 total
8 Feb - 9 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this golf holiday park in Kaikōura. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (331 reviews)
Clean facilities

Reviewed on 4 Jan 2026

Kaikōura TOP 10 Holiday Park
Kaikoura Waterfront Apartments

Kaikoura Waterfront Apartments

3 out of 5
126 Esplanade Kaikoura Canterbury
The price is ₹11,868 per night from 26 Feb to 27 Feb
₹11,868
₹13,722 total
26 Feb - 27 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Kaikōura. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and premium TV channels. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (591 reviews)
Spacious and has everything you need. Easy walk by ocean to restaurants and shops. Highly recommend for families.

Reviewed on 18 Jan 2026

Kaikoura Waterfront Apartments
See all 175 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

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