Why go
- Town in the South Island of New Zealand.
- Served by Kaikoura Airport (KBZ).
History
Kaikōura is a town on the east coast of the South Island of New Zealand, located on State Highway 1, 180 kilometres (110 mi) north of Christchurch. The town has an estimated permanent resident population of 2,350 as of June 2025. Kaikōura is the seat of the territorial authority of the Kaikōura District, which is part of the Canterbury region. In 2023, Kaikōura was named as one of the "most beautiful small towns in the world".
Where to stay
37 Adelphi Terrace, Kaikōura 7300, New Zealand · bendamere.co.nz
31 Adelphi Terrace, Kaikōura 7300, New Zealand · lemontree.co.nz
131 Scarborough Street, Kaikōura 7300, New Zealand · kaikoura.traveleto.com
29 Beach Road, Kaikōura 7300, New Zealand · mondello.co.nz
SH1, 154 Beach Road, Kaikōura 7340, New Zealand · kaikouraqualitysuites.co.nz
34 Beach Road, Kaikoura, Kaikōura 7300, New Zealand · hampshireholidayparks.co.nz
1 Kersage Drive, Ocean Ridge, Kaikōura 7340, New Zealand · thefairways.co.nz
146 Esplanade, Kaikōura 7300, New Zealand · kaikouraboutiquehotel.co.nz
268 Esplanade, Kaikōura 7300, New Zealand · kaikoura-seaside-lodge.mydirectstay.com
1 Avoca Street, Kaikōura 7300, New Zealand · thepierhotel.co.nz
92/94 Esplanade, Kaikōura 7300, New Zealand · kaikourawhitemorph.co.nz
16-18 Churchill Street, Kaikōura 7300, New Zealand · kaikouragateway.co.nz
21 Greenburn Way, Kaikoura Flat, Kaikōura 7300, New Zealand · kakaturetreat.co.nz
114 Esplanade, Corner of Esplanade, Yarmouth Street, and, Kaikōura, New Zealand · sudimahotels.com
15 Deal Street, Kaikōura 7300, New Zealand · dolphinlodge.co.nz
67 Beach Road, Kaikōura 7300, New Zealand · duskylodge.co.nz
37 Beach Road, Kaikōura 7300, New Zealand · thelazyshag.weebly.com
Indoor
Indoor
124 Esplanade, Kaikōura 7300, New Zealand · beachmotel.co.nz
69 Beach Road, Kaikōura 7300, New Zealand · alpine-pacific.co.nz
45/47 Churchill Street, Kaikōura 7300, New Zealand · bellavista.co.nz
208 Esplanade Cnr of Margate &, Esplanade, Kaikōura 7300, New Zealand · anchorinn.co.nz
29a Bay Parade, South Bay, Kaikōura 7300, New Zealand · baycottages.co.nz
115 Beach Road, Kaikōura 7300, New Zealand · lobsterinn.co.nz
222 Esplanade, Kaikōura 7300, New Zealand · blueseasmotel.co.nz
158 Esplanade, Kaikōura 7300, New Zealand
134 Esplanade, Kaikōura 7300, New Zealand
Restaurants & places to go
Seafood, Fish And Chips, Chinese, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Tu 11:00-20:30; We-Su 11:00-21:00 Features: outdoor seating · 47 Beach Road, Kaikōura, 7300 · continentalseafoods.co.nz
Indian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 11:30-16:00,17:00-22:00 · 17 Beach Road, Kaikōura, 7300 · kaikouraindianfood.nz
Seafood, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 12:00-14:30, 17:00-20:00 · 70 West End, Kaikoura, 7300 · thecraypotkaikoura.co.nz
Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Su 10:00-21:00 Features: outdoor seating, vegetarian options · West End, Kaikoura, 7300 · cooperscatch.co.nz
Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 12:00-21:00 Features: outdoor seating · 1 Avoca Street, Kaikōura, 7300 · thepierhotel.co.nz
Fish And Chips, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Su 09:00-20:30
Sandwich, Fast Food · Features: outdoor seating, takeaway · 78 Beach Road
Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Su 07:00 - 18:00 · 96 Esplanade, Kaikōura, 7300 · dolphinencounter.co.nz
Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 12:00-21:00+ Features: outdoor seating · 50 West End, Kaikōura, 7300 · gropergarage.co.nz
Cafe · Opening hours: Th-Tu 11:00-17:00; We 12:00-16:00 · 18 West End, Kaikoura, 7300 · facebook.com
Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 07:00-16:00 · caveskaikoura.nz
Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 15:00-03:00 Features: outdoor seating · 49 West End, Kaikōura, 7300 · thewhaler.co.nz
Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Su 07:00-16:00 Features: outdoor seating · 66 West End, Kaikoura, 7300 · whynotcafekaikoura.com
Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 10:00-22:00+ Features: outdoor seating
Restaurant · Features: outdoor seating · 35 Beach Road, Kaikōura, 7300 · tutis.co.nz
Restaurant · restaurant · 12 Avoca Street, Kaikōura, 7300 · greendolphinkaikoura.com
Restaurant · restaurant · 94 Esplanade, Kaikōura, 7300 · whitemorph.co.nz
Fish And Chips, Cafe · Features: outdoor seating
Sushi, Fast Food · Sushi fast food
Fried Chicken, Indonesian, Seafood, Fried Food, Restaurant · Fried Chicken/Indonesian restaurant
Fish And Chips, Fast Food · Fish And Chips fast food · 240 Beach Road, Kaikōura
Restaurant · Opening hours: 07:30-16:00 Features: vegetarian options, step-free access
Cafe · Opening hours: Mo,Tu,Fr,Sa 08:00-14:30 Features: outdoor seating
Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 10:30-18:00 · 85 Fyffe Quay, 7300
Cafe · Features: outdoor seating · 39 Beach Road, Kaikōura, 7300
Restaurant · Features: outdoor seating · 72 West End, Kaikoura, 7300
Fast Food · Features: outdoor seating
Restaurant · Features: outdoor seating, vegetarian options
Cafe · Features: outdoor seating
Restaurant · Features: outdoor seating · 33 Beach Road, Kaikōura
Fast Food · Features: outdoor seating · 14 West End
Restaurant · restaurant · 10-12 West End
Restaurant · restaurant · 40 West End
Airports
Kaikoura Airport (KBZ) 6.8 km to the centre
CAN, NZ — Indoor waiting area, but you walk out to the aircraft to board — bring an umbrella or a coat if the forecast is poor.
Getting there by ferry
Whale Watch departure
Ferry terminal · 1.6 km from the centre
Where things are
Local search powered by Geoverts and geo-intelligence by Better Mapping
base map © OSM
Photographs
credit: Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons · See source page
When to go
Tourist season
October – March
The warmer, longer-day half of the southern-hemisphere year.
Shoulder season
April – May, September
Milder and quieter, with better value.
Worth avoiding
June – August
The southern winter — check local conditions before travelling.
Getting there & around
Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Kaikoura Airport (KBZ). Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By water: 1 ferry terminal within 20 km (nearest: Whale Watch departure, 1.6 km).
Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Kaikoura, NZ. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.
Trains & rail
National rail
Coaches & shuttles
Intercity coach
Intercity coach
Tours & experiences
Sightseeing