‘What Can I Say Except You’re Welcome to Kaikoura!’

Kia ora and welcome to Kaikōura; one of the South Island’s best kept secrets. There is so much to boast about this treasured location; from its marine life to its rich cultural heritage. Keen to learn more about this real life paradise? Keep reading as we explore our team’s personal highlights and top tips.

Often overlooked by tourists, this small coastal town is beloved by Canterbury locals. The name Kaikoura translates to ‘eat crayfish’ in English, apt considering the region’s extensive wildlife. The town itself lies between the Kaikōura Ranges and the waters of Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa (the Pacific Ocean). The area is truly breathtaking all year round, with the mountains snow-capped in the winter and the water an idyllic turquoise in the summer.

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History of Kaikōura

This land has been inhabited for hundreds of years, first by Ngāi Tahu iwi and then by Pākehā settlement in the 1840s and 50s. The abundance of seafood, or kaimoana, made it an attractive place to live, with early sheep farmers introducing agriculture and other livestock to the fertile ground. Perhaps more significantly,Kaikoura was also a site of a musket-armed battle in the 1820s between Ngāti Toa (led by Te Rauparaha) and the Ngāti Kurī people of Ngāi Tahu, who lived in the area. Tragically, several hundred Ngāi Tahu lost their lives in this battle.

A few years later one of the first European settlers in the area, Robert Fyffe, established Kaikōura's first whaling station. As the years continued the whale numbers started to decline, and overfishing caused severe depletion and damage to the coast’s rich marine ecosystems and biodiversity. It wasn’t until the 1920s that whaling was finally abandoned in the area, and by the 1980s, there was a notable change towards conservation, with tourism supporting ongoing efforts to showcase the beauty and recovery of the various mammals that live gracefully in its waters. Conservation and wildlife have since become the economic heart of Kaikoura, with hundreds of thousands of visitors coming each year to view them in this coastal oasis.

More recently Kaikoura hit international headlines. In 2016, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck the village and left thousands of tourists and residents stranded with rail and highway routes in/out severely damaged. Despite the coastal lifting, and the change to the towns landscape it’s come a long way since then, and was named one of the most beautiful towns in the world by luxury travel bible, Conde Nast Traveler in 2023.

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The Journey to Kaikōura

Our journey to Kaikoura once more begins from Ōtautahi Christchurch, where we will take you north through Waipara. Here you can keep an eye out for the wineries which dot the landscape as we head towards our first stop - Cheviot. A hidden gem on one of New Zealand’s largest coastal routes. This is a perfect spot to stretch your legs and refuel. After our brief break, we’ll continue through the stunning Hundalee Hills, where you’ll have a chance to spot surfers and local wildlife, including seals! The scenic drive offers spectacular views the whole way. Venturing north, we arrive at the Kaikoura Peninsula (Te Taumanu-o-te-waka-a-Māui) which was the seat where Māui sat when he fished the North Island (Te Ika-a-Māui) up from the depths of the ocean. It is here where our day truly begins.

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Kaikōura

Once you’ve arrived at the highlight of this tour, our friendly guide will take you for a classic Kiwi fish n chip lunch. However if seafood, or meat in general isn’t your thing, don’t worry! Other options are available. For those who want to explore the town there’s a range of boutique and eclectic local shopping for you to enjoy. However, the most popular attraction is the Kaikoura Peninsula walkway. The rugged lime and siltstone coastline offers plenty of viewing opportunities for local wildlife, including New Zealand Fur Seals, various seabirds - such as shearwaters and petrols -, and even the occasional albatross or dolphin pod if you are lucky!). Other options offered include Mangamaunu Bay - a popular surfing spot with stunning views out to the Pacific Ocean.

Many of our guests choose to spend their time in Kaikōura taking part in the additional activities that you can book through us. Please note that these products are purely for those interested in participating in them. There will be no time for additional walks or local shopping unfortunately giving the timings of these incredible adventures with our amazing partners.

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Whale Watch Kaikōura

This is one of our most popular day tours, with many of our passengers dedicating time in their travel itinerary specifically for this tour. While on board the boat, you will have the chance to spot marine wildlife, including Giant Sperm, Blue, Fin, Sei, Humpback, Minke, Pilot, Orca and Southern Right Whales, Common Dolphins, Bottlenose Dolphins, Southern Right Whale Dolphins, Hector’s Dolphins, Dusky Dolphins, Elephant Seals and Leopard Seals. Bird species - such as Albatross, Petrels, and Shearwaters - may also be spotted. There is no doubt that this experience will be pretty special.

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Wings Over Whales

During this activity you will be able to view the beauty and wonder of Kaikōura’s marine wildlife from above. Seeing the true expanse of whales from the best view - above. From the air, you’ll enjoy the best possible view of the entire whale—something you simply can’t get from a boat. Watch in awe as the massive sperm whales, reaching up to 18 metres long, glide through the deep waters of the Kaikoura Canyon. With your own window seat in a high-winged aircraft, you’ll have unobstructed views of these ocean giants and the stunning marine environment they call home. It’s not just about the whales—this flight is also a scenic showcase of Kaikoura’s dramatic landscapes, from snow-capped peaks to the sparkling Pacific Ocean. Keep your eyes peeled for dusky dolphins, other whale species, and seabirds soaring below.

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Encounter Kaikōura (Dolphin Watch or Swim)

There are two different options for this activity; to join as an observer on deck, or to get up close to the dolphins in the ocean. The opportunity to join the tour as a watcher provides spectacular viewing of these acrobatic and energised dolphins. Their exhilarating displays of jumps, leaps, tail slapping and somersaults provide the most incredible dolphin show on earth! If you would like to swim with them, we can help to accommodate this as well and you’ll be able to spend time in the ocean with these beautiful creatures.

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Kaikōura Kayaks

Want to experience the wildlife up close? You are guaranteed to view fur seals and take in the sheer cliff faces, craggy rocks and mountain ranges while searching for potential encounters with dusky dolphins and blue penguins - and perhaps even some albatross as you kayak in Kaikōura’s ocean. This experience is suitable for all abilities and is fully guided, with all equipment provided.

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EcoZip Kaikōura

During this adventure you will go through the freshwater streams in their custom built unimog before heading to the Rakanui Station. Here you will clip into 2.2km of high-flying fun across five giant ziplines, where you’ll enjoy bird’s-eye views of the mountains and the ocean. Whether you’re searching for a family-friendly activity or an exhilarating adrenaline fix with friends – EcoZip is fast-becoming one of Kaikoura’s top-rated things to do.

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The Journey back to Christchurch

If time permits, we’ll stop at Waipara on the way back to Ōtautahi Christchurch, a renowned wine region surrounded by lush vineyards and green hills. Here, you can taste a selection of locally produced wines from a family-owned vineyard. Don’t worry if wine’s not your thing beer and non-alcoholic options are available as an alternative! After a fantastic day in Kaikoura, we’ll return to the Garden City with a full camera roll.

Having shared stories of the very best of New Zealand’s South Island’s eastern coastline, next week we invite you to join us as we cross Kā Tiritiri o te Moana - the country’s Southern Alps - to the West Coast. For those keeping up to date with our blogs, you will have just read about the beauty of Arthur’s Pass. But what lies beyond this village are even more stunning destinations waiting to be discovered.