Seals, sand and seafood: One day in Kaikoura
Kaikoura Bay
Along the East Coast of New Zealand’s South Island, you’ll find the haven that is Kaikoura; A vast crescent bay stretching into the distance, teal blue water before it, snow-capped mountains behind. Not to mention the wildlife! You’ll find seals, whales and dolphins, to name but a few inhabitants of the lands and waters along this rugged stretch of coast. The views are breathtaking. Believe us when we say that this instantly became one of our favourite places in the world and, if you can make it to the other side of the planet, it’s worth it to visit this spot alone. We only spent a night here but, my word, it felt like we could have spent an age sitting on those beaches, taking in this beautiful place.
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Looking across the bay to the cloud-covered mountains
Where to see seals in Kaikoura
Kaikoura is home to its very own seal colony, aptly named Kaikoura Seal Colony (also known as Ohau Point Seal Colony). It’s home to countless seals, from wrinkly old dogs to young pups and everything in between. They love a snooze and are very relaxed around people. Many of them are friendly and inquisitive, but don’t get too close! They can be erratic, so it’s advised to give them a reasonably wide berth. If you’ve ever played with a cat and experienced them starting to play-bite you, you can find a similar thing happening here - only with slightly bigger teeth! Elsewhere, you can see a smattering of seals all along the coast, as you make your way up from Christchurch.
Spot the seal
Take a stroll along the Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway
The best way to combine some great seal encounters with immersion in the stunning beauty of the coast is to take a stroll along the Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway. It’s a 7.1km there-and-back-again trail, which takes you around the end of the peninsular, over cliffs and along beaches filled with seals. It generally takes just under 2 hours to complete. You can find out more about the trail here.
The walkway takes you past seals and seagulls
When to see whales in Kaikoura Bay
Well, that depends on what sort of whales you’re looking for. You can see Humpback whales from June to July, and the Southern Right whale will pop up between June and August. Fortunately, if you’re not in town during those particular months, you’ll find resident Sperm whales and Orcas in the area all year round, so there’s a good chance you’ll see some no matter what time of year you’re over there!
The best spots for Kaikoura whale watching
Kaikoura Look-Out
Before you head down into Kaikoura town itself, head up to Kaikoura Look-Out point for one of the most incredible views you’ll ever see. The huge turquoise bay opens up before you, as the Kaikoura mountain ranges tower behind it. This gives you a view of the entire bay all at once and a good chance of spotting some whales if they decide to pop up when you’re there.
The view from Kaikoura look-out
The beach on Whaleway Station road
Set your nav to head toward Whale Watch Kaikoura. It’s a guided tourist boat which will take you out onto the waters to get up close and personal with some whales. If, however, you’re on a budget, the beach beside their station is a great spot to settle in and whale watch. There’s a cafe if you want to grab a coffee. Then, just park up, get the binoculars out, and see what comes by. As well as whales, we saw seals and dolphins too, which are there year-round! There are also a number of freedom camping spots nearby so, if you’re travelling that way and want to stay a little longer, you’ve got options.
Whaleway Station Road beach
What are some of the best Kaikoura restaurants?
Street Eats Kaikoura
Cheap and cheerful, Street Eats Kaikoura do some top Asian-inspired food with the kind of ingredients you’d find along the coast. We went specifically for the paua dumplings and they did not disappoint!
The Whaler Bar and Restaurant
A lively pub with a 20 NZ dollar porterhouse steak and flights of good, local beer, as well as a pool table, sports on TV and a great atmosphere. What’s not to love?
Where to eat crayfish in Kaikoura
Crayfish are one of the specialities of the Kaikoura region. It’s right there in the name - kai koura literally means “eat crayfish.” You’ll find them available on restaurant menus throughout the town, so there’s no shortage! What we’d recommend, however, is that you travel a little further north, up the coast. Along the way, you’ll find Nin’s Bin; a small seafood shack that serves up trays of delicious crayfish. The view from the benches outside boasts rocky shoreline, complete with seals and gentle breaking waves. It’s a great place to try some local crayfish and a great place to breathe in that fresh sea air. Bliss.
Nin’s Bin
Looking for Kaikoura accommodation?
We’d recommend Kakatu retreat - a big lodge just a 5-minute drive from Kaikoura town centre, with incredible mountain views out the back window. Grab some crayfish or some meat, fire up the grill and relax on the back porch before that wonderful view. Book here.
So, is Kaikoura worth visiting?
In case there was any question, the answer is a resounding YES! Year-round, the beauty of this unassuming beach town is a sight to behold, whether you’re there during whale-watching season or not. Stroll along pristine beaches, ascend to breathtaking viewpoints, clamber across the rocks with fat, lounging seals and watch whales gambol in the bay. We were only there a day, but we could have spent an age there, in perfect peace.
Fat seal