South Bay Travel Guide

Kaikōura

Photo by Nicole Smelson
Photo by Nicole Smelson

Popular places to visit

Peninsula Walkway

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

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

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

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
Stay at this 3-star beach cottage in Kaikōura. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and free bicycles on-site. Popular attractions Kaikoura District Museum and Kaikoura ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (106 reviews)
"We had a lovely overnight stay. Gus was very friendly and helpful. Situated right across the road from the ocean. Would thoroughly recommend Bay Cottages. 🙂"

Reviewed on 18 Apr 2025

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Bay Cottages
Sudima Kaikoura
Sudima Kaikoura
5 out of 5
Esplanade, 114, Kaikoura, Canterbury
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ₹6,868 per night from 15 Jul to 16 Jul
₹6,868
₹7,898 total
15 Jul - 16 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Kaikōura. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (386 reviews)
"Hotel was really nice from the time we entered to the time we left. Check in was really easy and room was very clean and a good size. We eat in the restaurant and the food was excellent and good value. Would recommend to anyone looking for a great place in Kaikoura"

Reviewed on 4 Jul 2025

Sudima Kaikoura
Kaikoura Quality Suites
Kaikoura Quality Suites
3.5 out of 5
154 Beach Road, Kaikoura
Stay at this 3.5-star motel in Kaikōura. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
9/10 Wonderful! (311 reviews)
"Very enjoyable stay. Would definitely stay again."

Reviewed on 5 Jul 2025

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Kaikoura Quality Suites
Kaikoura Beach Motel
Kaikoura Beach Motel
2.5 out of 5
124 Esplanade, Kaikoura, Canterbury
Stay at this motel in Kaikōura. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and laundry facilities. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (363 reviews)
"Property needs to upgrade to smart 43 inch TVs"

Reviewed on 1 Jul 2025

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Kaikoura Beach Motel
Alpine-pacific Holiday Park
Alpine-pacific Holiday Park
3 out of 5
69 Beach Road, Kaikoura
Stay at this 3-star holiday park in Kaikōura. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Kaikoura Museum and Kaikoura District Museum ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (406 reviews)
"Friendly, helpful staff, beautifully clean rooms with a very comfortable bed in the cabins, a very hot shower, a hot tub for the winter, nice and quiet in the extensive grounds and a beautiful view over fields and the snow-capped mountains away from the noise of road traffic on a state highway."

Reviewed on 17 Jun 2025

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Alpine-pacific Holiday Park
Mondello Kaikoura
Mondello Kaikoura
3 out of 5
29 Beach Rd, Kaikoura, Canterbury
Stay at this 3-star motel in Kaikōura. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a garden. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their reviews. ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (368 reviews)
"Was able to change to a 2nd floor room and see some nice views."

Reviewed on 3 Jul 2025

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Mondello Kaikoura
See all 178 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

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Kaikoura Peninsula

If you're spending some time in Kaikoura Peninsula, Point Kean Seal Colony and Peninsula Walkway are top sights worth seeing.

Kaikoura Peninsula
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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