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If you love spotting the local wildlife when you travel, then Kaikoura should be at the top of your New Zealand South Island itinerary. Situated at the northern end of the South Island, this coastal town boasts some of the best marine wildlife that the country has to offer. One of the highlights of my entire trip to this stunning country was being able to see seals in Kaikoura.

Where to see seals in Kaikoura

This post could quite easily be called free things to do in Kaikoura or what to do in Kaikoura when the weather is bad. We had initially booked a stay in Kaikoura in order to swim with seals. Sure, you can swim with dolphins there but I thought being able to swim with adorable New Zealand fur seals would be something completely unique.

Sadly, it wasn’t meant to be. Although the sun was high in the sky, the sea was cloudy because of the previous day’s poor weather. So our seal swimming adventures were over before they had even begun. We hastily decided to book a whale watching excursion as an alternative but luck was not on our side and all whale watching trips were cancelled too.

I wasn’t too disappointed because we still had a wonderful day and managed to get closer to the New Zealand fur seals than I had ever imagined – AND without getting wet!

So here is where I was able to see seals in Kaikoura.

Spotting seals in Kaikoura at Ohau Point

We drove to Ohau Point seal colony where we parked up and took a walk to the waterfall with the promise of potentially spotting a few young seals frolicking in the water. The walk was much shorter than expected and there were seals everywhere! They jumped and played in the waterfall, they lolloped around on the rocks. We were careful not to disturb them but two of the little scamps were playing on the path merely a metre away from where we stood! We watched them for a while and even as we left we saw more seals swimming along in the shallow waters beside us.

Since the earthquake here, unfortunately it is no longer possible to see the seals in the waterfall. However, it is still possible to spot them at Ohau Point by parking up at the look out point and watching the seals sunning themselves on the rocks.

• Ohau Point Lookout can be found around 20 minutes drive from Kaikoura along the New Zealand State Highway 1.

Here’s a little video I made from clips I shot on my mobile phone.

Viewing New Zealand Fur Seals in Kaikoura at Fyffe Quay

Our next stop was to drive down to the peninsula where another colony of seals could be found. One of the seals was even occupying a car park space! The rest of the seals were lolling around on the rocks which we climbed down on to in order to take a few pictures. Again, we were careful not to get too close as the car park seal already made it clear that I was invading its personal space when I stopped for a photo! (I really wasn’t that close either!).

• The peninsular is less than a 10 minute drive from Kaikoura. Head towards Point Kean. There are a couple of parking options in the area.

Other things to do in Kaikoura

If you love nature, wildlife and being by the sea, then Kaikoura is the place to be. There’s plenty to see and do there, but if you’re visiting in peak season (December to February) then advanced booking activities is recommend.

• On the peninsular, head to Kaikoura Lookout for fabulous views over the town.
• Take to the water and if weather permits, go whale watching or sea kayaking.
• For something a little quirky but still animal orientated and go llama trekking.
• Try some seafood. ‘Kaikoura’ translates to ‘crayfish’ in Maori and is the crayfish capital of New Zealand.
• Go swimming with seals or swimming with dolphins (weather permitting!).

Where to stay in Kaikoura

Accommodation in Kaikoura is extensive. From boutique hotels to basic but comfortable hostels, there’s plenty to suit any budget.

Frequently Asked Questions

What time of year is best to see seals in Kaikoura?

You can see seals in Kaikoura all year round! We visited in November and there were plenty of seals to be spotted.

Is Kaikoura worth visiting?

Yes. Kaikoura was one of the most memorable stops on my New Zealand adventure. If you love being by the coast, eating seafood, exploring nature and admiring wildlife then Kaikoura is the place for you. If you are travelling between the north and south islands, Kaikoura is an ideal stop on your road trip.

How many days should I spend in Kaikoura?

We spent 2 nights (about a day and a half) in Kaikoura. If you’re on a strict budget, then a whole day here would probably be enough. However if you want the full wildlife experience with whale watching tours, seal swimming etc then you may wish to stay a little longer.

How do I get to Kaikoura?

From Christchurch, you can reach Kaikoura by road in about two and a half hours. If you are coming from the north island, the ferry will take you to Picton. From Picton it is around a two hour drive. The best way to travel New Zealand is to hire a car, however there are buses that connect Kaikoura. Alternatively, you can prebook day trips from Christchurch through companies such as Viator.

If you enjoyed this post, check out some of my other New Zealand guides

• The Perfect 2 Week New Zealand South Island Itinerary
• New Zealand North Island Itinerary – 10 Day Road Trip
• 8 things to do in and around Queenstown New Zealand
• Milford Sound – is it worth it?
• Is Punakaiki New Zealand’s Coolest Coastal Stop?