Looking for budget stays in Kaikoura? This section is designed to save you time, money, and unnecessary stress. We've got insider tips to help you find affordable hostels and the cheapest places to stay in Kaikoura.
Kaikoura is a grungy little fishing town full of character, beautiful scenery, and lots of adventure. Kaikoura is easily accessible by car or bus from Christchurch, Hanmer Springs, and even Picton. It is the perfect spot for whale watching, exploring seal colonies, and hiking rugged coastal pathways.
If you love fish and chips, Kaikora is the place to be; there you can sit outside in the sun or in the moody grey and enjoy a basket of freshly fried fish and salty chips. Crayfish are a local specialty and can be found in food trucks along the roads near town, where you can order take-away or sit on plastic chairs and watch the ocean scenery. There are also many craft and souvenir shops along the main road if you need to pick up a few gifts and funny tee shirts, or if you just want to wander.
The ocean is on the other side of the main street where you can sit in the rocks and watch the waves across the reflection of a beautiful landscape. If you look carefully, you might even spot a whale or dolphin from the shore. Kaikoura has a few good hikes along the coast or you can spend hours rock hopping as the tide recedes into shallow tide pools. On the way into town, there is a great spot to watch baby seals play in a small waterfall and once you pass through town, you will arrive at a bustling seal colony.
There are a few good choices for hostels in Kaikoura, all within walking distance of the main street and the ocean. Most hostels in Kaikoura can help you arrange dolphin- and whale-watching trips. Kaikoura is an amazing town where the majestic beauty of the mountains mixes with the rugged power of the ocean -- it is a charming stop you are sure to enjoy.
Written by Travel Expert Kaikoura
Amanda Haehl