New Zealand Fur Seals

Dusky Dolphins Leading the Boat at Kaikoura

Sperm Whale Diving at Kaikoura

Kaikoura, on New Zealand’s South Island, is a small pretty town which punches well above its weight in terms of attractions. The town and it surrounding area is a dream come true for the nature lover, a hub for hiking, wildlife and sky viewing and adventure tourism, providing an ideal stop on a road trip around New Zealand’s South Island. The best way to locate everything that Kaikoura has to offer is through the Rankers app – an indispensable tool for finding accommodation, attractions and amenities in New Zealand.

Kaikoura is perhaps best known for its abundant opportunities to view aquatic wildlife. The Kaikoura Canyon, a 60 km long and 1200 m deep undersea valley, with its a confluence of ocean currents, creates the conditions for vast blooms of phytoplankton, which feed krill and fish, which in turn attract sperm whales, fur seals, Dusky dolphins, and a multitude of seabirds including albatross. While not known for breaching in the manner of humpback whales, sperm whales are spectacular in their own right. You may be alerted to the presence of sperm whales as they exhale huge clouds of vapour after diving for as long as 60 minutes in pursuit of giant squid. Depleted by this feat, they then bask on the surface to allow for metabolic recovery, before signalling their return to the depths with a jaunty flip of the tail.

For more terrestrial viewing opportunities …. Some of the most spectacular sights Kaikoura has to offer are the New Zealand fur seal colonies along the Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway (from Point Kean) – a relatively gentle 3-hour,11.7 km hike. The walk is stunning, but you must remain attentive to your surroundings as the seals themselves can present a hazard. They pull out of the water surprisingly far up the shore, sometimes hiding out under overhanging rocks or in the large clumps of flax which are common on the coast. If approached too closely, or if surprised from their slumber, they will charge the unwitting hiker. A 27 km drive north of Kaikoura on State Highway 1 brings you to Ohau Point, where you will see a vast number of fur seals hauled out on the rocks to sunbathe.

If neither aquatic nor terrestrial pursuits are your thing, you can also take to the air on some of New Zealand’s longest ziplines. The rides themselves are thrilling, and literally breathtaking. The view of the surrounding country – especially the Seaward Kaikoura Range – and the forest canopy flying beneath your feet is worth conquering any hesitation to let yourself drop off a peak into the valley below.

If you even find flying over the forest-top too restrictive, look out to infinity in the night sky. In 2024, Kaikoura was granted Dark Sky Reserve status. Municipal measures such as smart-lighting enhance the night sky, making it more visible to stargazers, and even create a safer environment for the rare Hutton’s shearwater which flies at night during breeding season.

For the car enthusiast, Kaikoura boasts the Kaikoura Hop, a huge gathering of classic vintage cars, trucks, trailers and motorbikes. Live bands and a dance lend to the overall festive rock’n’roll vibe that takes over the town each year.

Finally, from the astronomical to the gastronomical, a trip to Kaikoura would be incomplete without sampling the most renowned local delicacy. After all, in the Maori language, kai means food, and koura means crayfish. So Kaikoura is literally The Place to Eat Crayfish.