Things to do in Kaikoura

New Zealand·29 bookable experiences

Kaikoura sits in South Island, New Zealand, and there are 29 bookable experiences there — tours, entry tickets, day trips and transfers. These are the ones Viator ranks highest, with the price, the duration and the cancellation terms on every card, so you can compare before you commit.

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Most booked in Kaikoura

Ordered the way Viator ranks them, which reflects what travellers actually book.

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Whale Watching in Kaikoura by Boat

4.5 (3,036)3h 30m

Whale Watch is located in the small coastal town of Kaikōura on the East Coast of New Zealand’s South Island a scenic two and a half-hour drive north from Christchurch and two hour drive south from Picton. Kaikōura is a…

from $106.73 / personView details
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Kaikoura Whale Watch Day Tour from Christchurch

4.4 (193)11h

Experience the natural treasures of New Zealand on a whale-watching cruise from the picturesque town of Kaikoura. Look for the mighty Sperm Whales that live in these waters along with Dusky Dolphins, New Zealand Fur…

from $220 / personView details
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Kaikoura: Whale Watching Flight

4.8 (111)30 min

Discover Kaikōura’s world renowned sperm whales & marine life with an unforgettable Whale Watching Flight. From above, you’ll have the ultimate vantage point to admire these majestic creatures in their natural habitat,…

from $130.81 / personView details
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Half Day Zipline Adventure in Kaikoura

5.0 (309)3h 30m

A half day of adventure in nature awaits you in Kaikōura, with five zipline flights, totalling 2.2km, above lush rolling farmland, native forest, an interpretive walk through a private 3,000-acre station, and a ride on…

from $118.33 / personView details
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Sunset Kayak tour in Kaikoura

4.9 (54)3h

You’re going to love how easy it is to kayak in and around the beautiful Kaikōura Peninsula using the Hobie Mirage Drive Pedal. We have a 100% success rate of viewing the New Zealand Fur Seal. There is also a lot of…

from $86.22 / personView details
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Wildlife Sea Kayaking Tour - Kaikoura

4.8 (498)3h

Kaikōura’s Original Kayak Operator – Est. 1998 Celebrating 28 years on the water! Exclusive access -New Zealand’s only sea kayak operator with a marine mammal permit to view NZ Fur Seals, Dolphins, and Whales. NZ’s…

from $98.11 / personView details
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Seal Kayaking Adventure in Kaikoura

5.0 (445)3h

This tour offers 2 different kayaking options for you to choose from: Seal Kayak tour and the Sunset Kayak Tour. It is the first kayak tour in New Zealand to offer hands free kayaking. Now with the largest human muscle…

from $86.22 / personView details
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Kaikōura Whale Watching Scenic Flight (40 Minutes)

4.9 (229)40 min

Discover Kaikōura’s world renowned sperm whales & marine life with an unforgettable Whale Watching Flight. From above, you’ll have the ultimate vantage point to admire these majestic creatures in their natural habitat,…

from $175.41 / personView details
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Kaikoura Swim with Dolphins Tour from Christchurch

4.5 (29)12h

Discover magnificent marine wildlife out on the South Pacific Ocean during this 12-hour Kaikoura dolphin swim from Christchurch. Travel through the rolling hills of North Canterbury to the rugged coastline of Kaikoura —…

from $243.79 / personView details
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Whale Watching in Kaikoura - Ultimate Experience

4.7 (203)30 min

Experience the thrill of whale watching from the sky with Wings Over Whales! This unique activity offers unparalleled views of the resident sperm whales, the largest toothed whales in the world. From above, you’ll have…

from $148.65 / personView details
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Sunset Evening Kayaking Tour - Kaikoura

4.8 (91)3h

Kaikoura's Original Kayak Operator - Est 1998 Celebrating 27 years of operation! 100% guaranteed to view Fur Seals on all tours. Family Friendly - operating year round. New Zealand's only Sea Kayak operator that holds a…

from $98.11 / personView details
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40-minute Mt Fyffe Summit Heli Tour in Kaikoura

5.0 (1)40 min

Experience the true beauty of Kaikoura and mountain top experience without the 4 hour hike. On a clear day the view stretches from the North Island to Banks Peninsula. During Winter there is often an abundance of snow…

from $249.73 / personView details
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Seal Swimming Tour from Kaikoura

5.0 (279)2h 30m

Swim with wild New Zealand Fur Seals in the pristine waters of the beautiful Kaikoura Peninsula. This is an experience that you do not want to miss! All equipment is provided including wetsuits. 0nce listed as one of…

from $94.54 / personView details
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Kaikoura Helicopters Classic Whale Watch

4.8 (47)30 min

Kaikoura Helicopter Whale Watching – The Ultimate Shore Excursion Take your Kaikoura visit to new heights with our unforgettable helicopter whale watching experience. Soar over the stunning Kaikoura coastline as you…

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Kaikoura Helicopters Extended Whale Watch

4.5 (17)40 min

Within minutes of taking off from our beach from helipads, you will be in the spectacular environment that plays host to one of the worlds largest marine mammals, the magnificent Sperm Whale. This flight allows you…

from $368.65 / personView details
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Llama Trek (Half-day) - Kaikoura Bay, Beaches & Seal Colony

5.0 (169)3h 30m

Spend quality time with one of the world's most exotic animals. You trek with your own llama, who walks on a lead, at your side, while carrying your belongings in saddle bags. Llama are highly intelligent, clever…

from $148.06 / personView details
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Kaikoura Helicopters Top n Tail Whale Watch flight

5.0 (8)1h

Helicopters depart from our centrally located beach front helipads, lifting off on your scenic helicopter tour to view the Kaikoura Coast. View Sperm Whales from head to tail, offering you a unique and uninterrupted…

from $445.95 / personView details
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Llama Trek (Taster) - Kowhai River Valley and Native Woodland Tour

5.0 (83)1h 30m

Enjoy a 1hr Taster Llama Trek - along the Kowhai River banks and riverbed. Surrounded throughout by protected native woodland, and abundant wildlife.

from $79.68 / personView details
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Private Wildlife Kayaking Tour - Kaikoura

4.9 (47)3h

Kaikōura’s Original Kayak Operator – Est. 1998 Celebrating 27 years on the water! New Zealand’s only sea kayak operator with a marine mammal permit to view NZ Fur Seals, Dolphins, and Whales. Kaikōura’s exclusive kayak…

from $237.84 / personView details
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Private Seal Kayaking and Wildlife Tour in Kaikoura

5.0 (8)3h

An intimate privately guided wildlife experience around the Kaikoura peninsula on hands free pedal kayaks, allowing for the ultimate kayaking experience. Let us take you and your group around the rugged coastline…

from $208.11 / personView details
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Kaikoura: Coastal and Alpine Scenic Airplane Flight

4.9 (9)25 min

Enjoy a 25 minute panoramic scenic flight, with stunning scenic views of the Seaward Kaikoura ranges and a birds eye view of the Kaikoura Peninsula. After take-off, we will climb to approximately 6000 feet to fly past…

from $115.95 / personView details
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Kaikoura Whale Watching - 45 Minute Ocean Safari

5.0 (45)1h 15m

Experience the ultimate Kaikōura helicopter tour and witness New Zealand’s incredible marine life from above. Fly over the renowned Kaikōura Canyon to spot Sperm, Humpback, Southern Right, Orca, or even Blue whales,…

from $490.55 / personView details
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1-Hour Private Heli-Picnic Mountain top tour in Kaikoura

5.0 (2)1h

This tour is perfect for a romantic getaway, family adventure or group of friends. We are sure that you will enjoy this unique experience and remember it forever. Fly with Kaikoura Helicopters and enjoy a delicious…

from $312.17 / personView details
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Kaikōura Whale Watching - 1hr 20min Ultimate Adventure

5.0 (8)2h

Embark on the ultimate Kaikōura helicopter whale watching tour for a unique wildlife and scenic adventure. Fly over the Kaikōura Whale Sanctuary and Hikurangi Marine Reserve, where you’ll spot majestic marine life…

from $936.50 / personView details

Planning the rest of the trip?

The areas Kaikoura breaks into, the sights ranked by how many tours are sold for them, and what is within a few hours.

The Kaikoura area guide, for travellers

Prices and availability last checked 2026-09-13. Both are confirmed on Viator before you pay.