Kaikoura is a sleepy little town a couple of hours north of Christchurch on the South Island’s East Coast. It’s surrounded by some stunning scenery but what draws the crowds is its unique marine life. In this post, I’ll be sharing some of the best things to do in Kaikoura to help you experience what makes Kaikoura so special.
Kaikoura is home to an abundance of marine wildlife due to its unique underwater landscape. A deep canyon sits just off the coast and reaches depths of 1200 meters in places. This unusual terrain causes ocean currents to merge and nutrients to bloom, attracting all different sorts of marine life. Whales, dolphins, and seals are just a few of the species which call Kaikoura home all year round.
With such an abundance of rare marine life, the majority of activities in Kaikoura are focused on close encounters with the animals. Swim with dolphins, kayak with seals, spot sperm whales, or take a scenic flight to see animals from above? These are the best things to do in Kaikoura.
Swim with wild dolphins
Kaikoura is one of the best places in all of New Zealand (and the world) where you can swim with dolphins. The inquisitive dusky dolphin can be found in the ocean near the town all year round and it’s the perfect spot to try to get up close and personal with these special creatures.
Dolphin Encounter Kaikoura is the only company in the area that offers you the opportunity to swim with them. This was my absolute favourite activity I did in Kaikoura and one of my most memorable in New Zealand. The activity was so well-run, and the dolphins were completely wild which made it even more special.
Without a doubt, swimming with dolphins is one of the absolute best things you can do in Kaikoura. The activity requires you to go out into the open ocean, so you’ll need to be a confident swimmer. If this puts you off, there’s the option to just spectate too.
10 things you need to know about swimming with the dolphins in Kaikoura.
There are other spots around New Zealand where there are similar experiences available including Akaroa and Picton. They are generally more suitable for people who suffer from seasickness as the tours take place in more sheltered spots. However, Kaikoura is well-known to be the best spot. Dolphins are abundant here and the dusky dolphins are one of the most inquisitive species. Here are all the spots you can swim with dolphins in New Zealand.
Kayak with seals (and maybe dolphins)
Kayaking is always a fun thing to do, but in Kaikoura, it’s particularly special. The activity will take you out into the Kaikoura Peninsula where you’ll have the chance to kayak out to the seal colony. If you’re lucky, you may even have the chance to kayak with dolphins.
Kaikoura Kayaks is the main operator for the activity. You’ll be geared up with a spray skirt and waterproof jacket. The kayaks are for two people, so if you’re travelling alone you’ll either be with another customer or the guide.
I enjoyed our kayaking trip. We didn’t see dolphins, but we did see a bunch of seals including some swimming right past our kayaks. Kaikoura Kayaks guarantees you’ll see seals otherwise offers a full refund. While seeing the seals was great, I also loved kayaking in the ocean and seeing some epic views of the peninsula.
If you enjoy kayaking, here are 5 reasons to kayak in Milford Sound.
Go whale watching
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 all year-round making whale watching a popular activity here.
There’s one boat operator in the town – Whale Watch Kaikoura – and they run multiple trips per day. The two-hour boat trip takes you offshore and gives you the chance to see the sperm whale. There’s also the opportunity to see dolphins and other whales which migrate through the area at various times during the year.
Whale watching is one of the best and most popular activities in Kaikoura. Read my guide to whale watching in Kaikoura here.
Take a scenic flight and see the whales from above
Whale watching is a popular activity in Kaikoura, and there’s also the opportunity to see the whales from above on a whale watching flight. The 30-minute flight takes you out over the ocean to see the gentle giants from above. This is one of the most unique things you can do in Kaikoura and I’d highly recommend it.
I went with Wings over Whales and had a fantastic experience. We were lucky enough to see two whales. The pilot also flew us over the peninsula to see some of the beautiful scenery. There are options for longer flights and flights that focus more on the scenery than looking for whales.
South Pacific Helicopters offer helicopter flights too.
Go on a hike and see the seals
Hiking isn’t the first thing that springs to mind when it comes to Kaikoura, but there are some fantastic walks and it’s one of the best things to do in the area.
One of the most popular walks is the Kaikoura Peninsula Walk. This track takes you right out into the peninsula through one of the largest seal colonies in the Southern Hemisphere. The walk itself is quite straightforward and suitable for all abilities. The track varies in length, but one of the popular routes is to start in South Bay, walk up over the hill to Fyffe Quay, and back again. It took us around 2 hours. There are some steep bits at the beginning but it was generally fine.
The track shows off some of Kaikoura’s stunning Jurassic-style scenery and takes you right through the seal colony. There were seals EVERYWHERE at one point. We walked round a corner and a seal was lying straight across the path. I’d say try not to get too close, but the seals made that impossible for us.
If you want a more challenging day hike, Kaikoura is the home to Mount Fyffe which towers over the town. I was planning to do this hike but after a run of bad weather and re-arranged activities, it sadly didn’t work out. Here’s a great guide to hiking Mount Fyffe.
Head to NZTravelTips for some great discounts on the activities.
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