The 15 BEST Things to Do in Kaikoura (2025 Updated)
Kaikōura is one of my favourite places on the South Island of New Zealand.
This small town is surrounded by incredible scenery and is home to some amazing marine wildlife. With giant sperm whales, New Zealand fur seals and resident dusky dolphins, Kaikoura is among the best places to experience New Zealand’s unique wildlife.
Located just a couple of hours north of Christchurch, it’s also an easy destination to build into your New Zealand road trip.
In this guide, I’ve shared the best things to do in Kaikoura to add to your itinerary. From swimming with dolphins to kayaking with fur seals, Kaikoura has a fantastic range of activities on offer.
Visiting here had been at the top of my New Zealand bucket list for so long. Thankfully, it only exceeded my expectations. It’s an absolute must-visit, especially for anyone who loves wildlife.
Why should you visit Kaikoura?
Kaikoura is the perfect place to see the best of New Zealand’s marine life. With several species of whales, dolphins, birds and fur seals, you don’t have to search far to see what makes the area famous.
Thanks to a unique underwater landscape, Kaikoura’s coast is home to an abundance of unique marine life.
Close to the coast, there is a deep canyon that reaches depths of 1200 metres in places. This unusual terrain causes ocean currents to merge and nutrients to bloom, attracting all different sorts of marine life.
Most things to do in Kaikoura are focused on close encounters with some of these animals.
You can swim with wild dolphins, kayak with fur seals, go whale watching from above, and even search for the elusive albatross.
What to do in Kaikoura
Swim with wild dolphins
Let’s start with one of the most popular things to do in Kaikoura – swimming with dolphins.
Kaikoura is one of the best places in New Zealand (and the world) where you can swim with dolphins in their natural habitat.
The inquisitive dusky dolphin can be found in the Pacific Ocean close to Kaikoura all year round. This particular species of dolphin is known to be very playful.
Honestly, swimming with dolphins was one of my favourite things I did in New Zealand (along with cage diving with great white sharks).
Dolphin Encounter Kaikoura is the only company that’s allowed to put people in the water with the dolphins.
This is great news as it means the water won’t be filled with boats and other people all trying to get close to the dolphins. We’ve all seen those uncomfortable photos of animals surrounded by people and boats, but that wasn’t the case here.
Only a few people are allowed in the water at any one time, the dolphins aren’t fed or attracted in any way, and they can swim away at any time.
Without a doubt, swimming with dolphins is one of the absolute best things you can do in Kaikoura.
The activity requires you to swim unassisted in the open ocean. Kaikoura is known for its rough waters, so you need to be a confident swimmer.
There is also the option to just spectate.
Kaikoura isn’t the only place in New Zealand where you can swim with dolphins. There are also options in Picton and Akaroa.
These tours normally take place in more sheltered areas, meaning they might be more suitable for people who suffer from seasickness.
In Akaroa, you also have the chance to see Hector’s dolphins, the world’s smallest species.
However, from what I know, Kaikoura is the best place to swim with the dolphins. The animals here are abundant and they’re known to be very interactive with swimmers. We were in the water with 400 dolphins, I can’t describe how incredible it was.
Side note: Swimming with bottlenose dolphins in New Zealand is rare, but you can typically see them from the Milford Sound cruises.
Go on a kayaking tour to see seals (and maybe dolphins)
For another memorable experience, add a kayaking tour to your Kaikoura itinerary.
There are several epic places to kayak in New Zealand, but it’s particularly special in Kaikoura.
The kayaking tours will take you out into the Kaikoura Peninsula, where you’ll search for the New Zealand fur seal.
We kayaked past a massive seal colony, and they were swimming around the kayaks. It was so cool!
It’s also not uncommon to see dolphins on the kayaking tours. They’re often intrigued by the kayaks and like to come and check them out.
Now, if you’re REALLY lucky, you may even be fortunate enough to kayak with orcas (the absolute DREAM)! If you’ve seen the viral video of orcas around kayaks, that was in Kaikoura!
Of course, animal encounters are never guaranteed, but Kaikoura is known to be a great place for rare wildlife encounters.
There’s also the option to book a pedal kayaking tour. These tend to be a little easier as you don’t need to use your arms. However, you don’t tend to be able to go as far out into the water.
Go on a whale watching tour
Kaikoura’s whales are what put the area on the map for tourists.
Due to its unique underwater terrain, Kaikoura is home to sperm whales year-round, making whale watching a popular activity here.
It’s also possible to see humpback whales here, with June and July being the best time of year to see them. If you’re really lucky, you may also see orcas or southern right whales.
You can book your whale watching trip in Kaikoura right here. There’s only one operator in the town, so you don’t need to worry about there being too many boats by the whales.
Whale Watch Kaikoura run trips on a daily basis (weather dependent), and it’s possible to see sperm whales all year round!
However, I must admit, this isn’t the best whale watching I’ve done in the world. I found the boat to be crowded, and it felt very commercial. The tour seemed to lack any passion for the whales, and it was just about getting a good photo.
Of course, this was just my personal experience – I’ve written more about my experience whale watching in Kaikoura.
Take a scenic flight and see the whales from above
If you’re looking for one of the best activities in Kaikoura, consider adding a whale watching flight to your itinerary.
The Kaikoura scenic flights give you the chance to see the surrounding beauty of the coastline, and also see whales from above.
I almost skipped this activity as I couldn’t decide whether it was worth it. However, I’m SO happy I chose to do it in the end.
Seeing the whales from above really shows off their true size. The scenery around Kaikoura is also spectacular, and seeing it all with a bird’s eye view was an unforgettable experience.
There are several options when it comes to scenic flights in Kaikoura, and it all depends on what you want.
There’s the option to ride on a small plane or a helicopter. I have an irrational fear of helicopters, so opted for the plane.
If you want to book the exact tour I did, I chose this forty-minute scenic flight over Kaikoura. If you’d prefer a helicopter, this is a fantastic option.
We spent most of the tour looking for sperm whales and then looked at some of the beautiful scenery. It’s the perfect way to see the true beauty of the area.
Drive to the Kaikoura lookout
For more epic views, don’t miss visiting the Kaikoura Lookout point.
There are some incredible views here of the mountains and coastline surrounding Kaikoura.
It’s a short drive from the main town so can easily be built into an itinerary. It’s also possible to walk here, just be prepared for a long uphill slog.
Try some local food
Kaikoura is a haven for seafood lovers, and it’s known to be one of the best places in New Zealand to try the local fish.
Here are a few of the best places to try the seafood:
- Cooper’s Catch for a quick fish and chips takeaway
- The Kaikoura Seafood BBQ for crayfish and other local fish
- Craypot Kitchen for chowders and fish cakes
- Zephyr for fish of the day, lamb, duck and venison
- The Whaler for traditional fish and chips
I’m veggie so I don’t eat fish, but I can recommend Street Eats Kaikoura. It’s a small cafe serving Asian food, and there’s a variety of vegetarian options.
Another epic food spot in Kaikoura is Bernie’s Diner and Car Museum. The museum is home to several classic cars, a passion collection for the family.
Walk the Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway
Walking the Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway is one of the best free things to do in Kaikoura.
This 7.5-mile / 12-kilometre walkway takes you through the Kaikoura Recreation Reserve along its rugged coastline. Walk up cliffs, past fur seals and admire magnificent coastline views.
The walk also takes you right through New Zealand’s biggest seal colony. They were lying all across the path when we went! It was hard to avoid them.
The hike starts just a short drive from the town centre and ends in the South Bay car park (or you can do it the other way). The full loop back to the starting point takes about three hours, but you can turn back at any point.
It’s not a challenging walk, but there is some incline.
The walk is so beautiful, I really can’t recommend it enough.
Visit Ohau Point Lookout
The Ohau Point Lookout is another great place to see seals in Kaikoura. In fact, you can even see baby fur seals learning how to swim here.
It’s about a twenty-minute drive north of the town, but it’s well worth it if you have a car.
The lookout point is above some rock pools which are a nursery for baby seal pups. I wasn’t sure what to expect here, but I saw so many young seals learning to swim.
The winter months tend to be the best time to see the babies.
There used to be a walk here known as the Ohau Stream Walk. However, this is now closed due to Earthquake damage.
Although the walk itself is closed, there is still a lookout point with a place for cars to park so you can watch the seals.
Go for a day hike
If you’re after a more challenging hike, consider hiking Mount Fyffe.
This stunning mountain towers over Kaikoura, and it offers some incredible views of the town and coastal area.
The trail is around 10.5 miles / 17 km in distance, with a whopping 1,400 metres of elevation gain.
I was desperate to do this hike, but after a run of bad weather and rearranged activities, I didn’t have the time. But here’s a great guide to hiking Mount Fyffe.
If you’re planning a winter trip to Kaikoura, you might find the hike is accessible due to snow. However, you’ll get to see stunning snow-capped mountains.
Search for Albatross
Kaikoura is a fantastic place to try and spot the beautiful Albatross bird.
This Albatross Encounter guided tour takes you to view various sea birds, including one of the many Albatross species Kaikoura is known for.
Other species of birds you may encounter include shearwater, gulls and potentially even the blue penguin.
Visit a Lavender Farm
A few kilometres north of Kaikoura is the Lavendyl Kaikoura Lavender Farm.
In the spring and summer, it’s possible to walk through the lavender fields and get that photo shot.
There are also some relaxing gardens to explore and have a picnic.
Walk along Kaikoura Beach
Kaikoura Beach is one of my favourite beaches in New Zealand!
The beach mainly consists of black sand and pebbles, and with the surrounding Jurassic scenery, the beach feels so raw and wild.
The entire beach is over three miles long, so there’s no shortage of space to relax or go for a walk.
Due to the rough ocean conditions and cold waters, it’s not always the best beach for swimming. However, people do swim there in the summer. It’s also a good surfing spot when the conditions align.
My favourite time to visit the beach is at sunrise. The beach faces east so there can be some fantastic views.
Go scuba diving
Kaikoura is a fantastic location to go scuba diving and explore the underwater world the area is known for.
Dave’s Diving offers several guided tours (including a night tour).
Even if you’ve never dived before, it’s possible to do an introductory dive to experience scuba diving and get a peek at what’s beneath the surface.
On the tour, it’s common to encounter playful seals and several unique fish species.
Learn about Kaikoura’s past
The Kaikoura Museum is a fantastic place to learn more about Kaikoura’s past, including the tragic earthquake that occurred in 2016.
The museum is housed in the famous “craypot” building and has an array of exhibitions to explore. It’s the perfect thing to do when it rains in Kaikoura.
You can check the latest exhibitions and opening times on the museum’s website.
It’s also possible to visit Fyffe House, Kaikoura’s famous pink building.
The building was built on the bones of a southern right whale and offers a fascinating insight into Kaikoura’s whaling past.
Trek with llamas
If you want a truly unique and slightly odd activity in Kaikoura, you can walk llamas! Yes, you read that right!
Llama Trekking Kaikoura offers the chance to walk with llamas on either a 90-minute or a half-day walk.
The site also has some unique glamping options if you’re looking for some unique accommodation in Kaikoura.
Where to stay in Kaikoura
Here are a few options for accommodation in Kaikoura.
Campervans
Kaikoura has some strict freedom camping laws, and you’ll find they are much stricter there than in other areas of New Zealand.
Even if you’re vehicle has a certified self-contained sticker, it’s essential to check it meets Kaikoura’s requirements. For example, Kaikoura does not consider any vehicle with a portable toilet self-contained. You can find out more about their rules here.
If your vehicle does meet the requirements, there are a couple of freedom camping spots in Kaikoura, including one right by the ocean. I suggest downloading CamperMate for the latest information.
There is also a Top 10 Holiday Park in Kaikoura with some excellent facilities. I ended up spending most of my time here.
Budget
If you’re travelling on a budget, Kaikoura has a couple of hostel options.
👉 Dusky Lodge is one of Kaikoura’s most popular hostels, with both dorm and budget private rooms.
👉 Kaikoura Seaside Lodge is another fantastic option, and it’s right on the beach.
👉 The Bella Vista Lodge has private cabins, and it’s in a great location.
Mid-range
👉 Waves on Esplanade is one of Kaikoura’s best hotels, and some rooms even have a kitchen
👉 Boutique Hotel Kaikoura is another great option
Thanks for reading my guide on things to do in Kaikoura.
