Kaikoura

The best time to visit Kaikoura is from December to February, when days are warmest at 20°C and the sea is calm for whale watching and dolphin encounters. March and April are also pleasant, with slightly cooler temperatures and fewer rain days. The rainiest stretch is December, with 15 rain days, while July and August are the coolest and wettest months, though still mild. For the driest, most settled weather, aim for late autumn, from April to May, when rain days drop to 11 and humidity is lower.

Stay near the Esplanade along the coast for easy access to the beach, seal colony, and whale watch departures; it suits most visitors. The Hapuku area, north of town, offers a quieter, more scenic setting with lodges like Hapuku Lodge & Tree Houses and Cubby House Stay. The Adelphi Terrace and Old Beach Road area is a central, convenient base with B&Bs and motels like Bendamere House and Kaikoura Cottage Motels.

Whale Watch Kaikoura is the top draw for spotting sperm whales and other marine life. Encounter Kaikoura offers a chance to swim with or watch dusky dolphins. Ohau Point Lookout and Point Kean Viewpoint give dramatic coastal views, while the Kaikoura Seal Colony lets you see fur seals up close. The Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway is a scenic route linking many of these sights.

The full-day tours from Kaikoura go to Christchurch, where you can join a whale watch or swim with dolphins excursion. These tours are based in Kaikoura itself, so they don't cover other destinations. For a classic day trip, head to the nearby Marlborough wine region or the Abel Tasman National Park for coastal walks and beaches.

Plan 2 to 3 days. In two days, you can do a whale watch, visit the seal colony, and walk the Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway. Add a third day for the Kaikoura Lookout and EcoZip Adventures, or a day trip to swim with dolphins, which needs an extra day.