A picturesque coastal town and base for unique wildlife experiences
With the swelling Pacific Ocean on one side and the snowcapped Kaikoura Range on the other – Kaikoura is a quaint peninsula village that is a base for discovering some of New Zealand’s best wildlife. It is a remote coastal community midway between Christchurch and Blenheim famous for and even named after its crayfish – in Maori, ‘kai’ means food and ‘koura’ is crayfish.
The settlement itself is little more than its main street which is home to a cluster of artisan delis, craft stores, fish and chip shops, restaurants and cafes. Just off this main strip lies the rugged, seaweed-strewn coastline with crashing breaks that bring surfers from afar looking for the perfect wave.
Heading along this coast you can’t miss the local fur seal colony lazing on the rocks in the sun, playing in the water or raising endearing pups in the more secluded alcoves.
It is a spectacular environment and draws a regular stream of visitors for its marine mammal encounters from whale watching boat trips to swimming with dolphins and seals as well as those keen to spot the blue penguin or numerous varieties of albatross that pass here.
Highlights
Swimming with dolphins in the wild
Watching surfers take to the waves
Spotting the local fur seal colony
Ellie Khoury
Travel Designer
Swimming with dolphins in the wild was something I always dreamed of doing. There are few places in the world where you can experience swimming with one of the most intelligent animals on the planet; Kaikoura being one of these places. Whether you’re diving or snorkelling with these Dusky Dolphins, there’s nothing quite like the excitement of a pod of 50+ dolphins swimming up and close to you and making playful noises down your snorkel to encourage the dolphins to play with you. It’s an experience you really will remember for the rest of your life.
Ellie Khoury
Travel Designer
Luxury accommodation in Kaikoura
Why book with Jacada?
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Trip inspiration
Where else to go in New Zealand
Auckland
New Zealand’s largest cosmopolitan centre is a lively mix of culture, cuisine, music and art with ample green spaces and easily accessible beaches.
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Equally beautiful and historically significant, the bay is peppered with 144 vastly untouched islands that are renowned for their inviting clear waters, subtropical climate and diverse marine life.
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A classic Kiwi beach holiday destination made up of petite coastal towns, velvety white-sand beaches and native rainforests teeming with birdlife.
Discover moreChristchurch
Curious travellers will relish all the new eclectic hubs to discover in a city and region that is full of surprises, friendly locals and an inspirational community spirit.
Discover moreDunedin and Coastal Otago
Dunedin is a university town and there is a good selection of lively restaurants and bars. It is also a great base from which to explore the Otago Peninsula with its rugged landscape, beautiful beaches and wildlife.
Discover moreHawke's Bay
The North Island’s wine country is one of New Zealand’s warmest, driest regions with golden colours stretching across arid plains.
Discover moreLake Tekapo and Aoraki Mount Cook
New Zealand’s highest peak, Aroaki Mount Cook, is an arresting sight dominating the skyline of the national park which surrounds it.
Discover moreMarlborough Sounds and Wine Region
Hop from vineyard to vineyard on the wine trail in this diverse, sun-drenched plateau and sample some of the country’s finest wines, most notably the internationally renowned Sauvignon Blanc.
Discover moreMilford Sound and Fiordland National Park
With the snowy-peaked Southern Alps sloping down into deep blue waters and lushly forested shores bursting with wildlife, the spectacular Fiordland National Park area in the south-western corner of the South Island is known for its stunning vistas.
Discover moreNelson and Abel Tasman
New Zealand’s sunniest region has a diverse geography ripe for exploring from golden sand beaches to dense forests, the clearest fresh water lake in the world and secluded, enticing rivers.
Discover moreQueenstown and Wanaka
Queenstown is one of New Zealand’s most picturesque towns, sitting on the tip of the crystal clear Lake Wakatipu. It’s a bustling hub of international and local visitors come to seek out one of the endless thrills on offer here from skiing, white water rafting, canyon swinging, jet boating, mountain biking and bungy jumping.
Discover moreRotorua and Taupo
Steaming mud pools, erupting geysers and Maori traditions all make Rotorua and Taupo a special area to visit – one that is distinctively unique to the rest of New Zealand.
Discover moreWellington
Nestled on rolling green hills that spill down to a charming harbour, New Zealand’s capital is an epicentre of culture and creativity – renowned for its arts, gastronomy, heritage and bohemian character.
Discover moreWest Coast and the Glaciers
The narrow strip of coastline squeezed between the Southern Alps and Tasman Sea plays host to some of New Zealand’s most dramatic landscape, which is quite some claim.
Discover moreMeet your Australasia team
When to visit
New Zealand is a year-round destination. In summer visit the beaches and explore the country’s National Parks. Spring is a mild time of year to travel and the countryside comes to life. In winter the South Island is a playground for outdoor adventures and epic scenery. Autumn sees cold, crisp days in the South Island and more mild rainy days in the North Island.
Wine Tasting in New Zealand
March - April
Ski and Snowboard
June - September
Whale and Dolphin Spotting
Year Round
Plan your trip to Kaikoura
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Everything about our trip to South Africa arranged by Jacada Travel was exceptional. Jody Van Merode, Senior Tavel Designer, listened to our wants and needs and put together a perfect trip that was within our stated budget. She was great to work with! Jody and our assigned concierge, Betty Gatwiri, communicated with us frequently before our trip about what to…
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Our trip to Paris, overall, was spectacular and one for the books. Paris has left a lasting impression on us and we plan to return soon. There were a couple of bumps here and there, but nothing that we could not figure out. Anytime we reached out to the Jacada team or the local team, they were always very prompt…
Jacada was great. The knowledgeable people at Jacada - James, Betty, Wade to name the ones we were in touch with - plus all the people who were there meeting us at planes, picking us up at hotels -- on time. While the sights and sounds in the bush were amazing, the hospitality at Lion Sands River Lodge and Thornybush…
From the time we got off the plane until we hide a fabulous stress free time. Our tour guide took us on a tour of Sydney followed by stunning visages of the southern highlands. We then flew to the outback for breathtaking sunrise/ sunsets. A final stop in the Daintree rain forest for some snorkeling and revitalizing spa treatment topped…
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