Kaikōura Trips – Tailor-Made New Zealand Itineraries

Kaikoura is a picturesque town on the East Coast of New Zealand's South Island, just 2 hours north of Christchurch.

It’s the perfect stopover on your drive from Christchurch to Marlborough, but more than that, Kaikoura is the ideal place in New Zealand to encounter marine wildlife.

Person walking along the pebble beach with snow-capped mountains in Kaikōura, New Zealand

Humpback whale breaching off the coast of Kaikōura, New Zealand

Purple lupine flowers blooming near Kaikōura, New Zealand

Why visit Kaikoura?

Whales, fur seals, and dolphins inhabit Kaikoura’s water year-round, making it an appealing destination in any South Island itinerary.

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Whales, fur seals, and dolphins inhabit Kaikoura’s water year-round, making it an appealing destination in any South Island itinerary.
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If whale watching by boat or scenic flight or swimming with dolphins and ever-playful seals is not your thing, the bird-life, cultural experiences, and scenic coastal walks might be!
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Kaikoura has a handful of cute shops, cafes, and restaurants, and visitors would miss out if they didn’t try their famous crayfish. After all, in the traditional language “kai” means food, and “koura” means crayfish.

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Other areas to explore

A visit to Kaikoura puts you within easy reach of many other beautiful and fascinating parts of New Zealand.

Two hikers stand on golden tussock above Lake Wakatipu, with rugged peaks and dramatic clouds overhead.

Queenstown

Perfectly situated on the crystalline Lake Wakatipu with mountains on either side, Queenstown, also known as New Zealand’s “adventure capital”, brims with experiences for the intrepid traveler.

A lone figure stands on a dark pebble beach looking toward distant mountains under a pale sky.

Canterbury

Canterbury is the South Island's natural starting point, anchored by Christchurch and extending into some of New Zealand's most spectacular alpine and coastal landscapes.

Turquoise water laps a golden sandy beach framed by green bush in Abel Tasman National Park.

Abel Tasman and Nelson

Abel Tasman National Park is New Zealand’s smallest national park, but its most-visited, and for good reason.

West Coast

Sandwiched between the dominant Southern Alps and the untamed Tasman Sea, New Zealand’s West Coast region is perfect for those who are looking for an adventure, but don’t need it handed to them on a silver platter.