ACCOMMODATIONS

There are no shortage of places to stay in Kaikoura. I stayed at the Alpine-Pacific Holiday Park in a one-room cabin. The RV and camping park is popular with Kiwis on holiday with their families. There are also a number of high-rated hostels in Kaikoura, like the Albatross Backpacker Inn or YHA Kaikoura.

ACTIVITIES

There are several tour companies offering excursions to see Kaikoura's unique marine wildlife up close. It is not unusual for tours to be cancelled or delayed due to unfavorable weather conditions. It is typically recommended you book an early morning tour, when the sea and winds tends to be calmer.

Whale Watching. The very well organized Whale Watch Kaikoura offers multiple whale watching tours a day. The staff is very knowledgeable about the migration and feeding habits of the resident group of sperm whales - they have a 95% success rate of at least one whale sighting, and usually dolphins too!

Swimming with the Dolphins. I went with Dolphin Encounter and I was impressed with the quality of the tour, the amount of time we spent in the water, and enthusiastic crew. Before dawn, a boat takes you out on the bay in search of a pod of dolphins. When they find a pod, the boat stops and swimmers dive in to play with dozens of playful dusky dolphins! If you snorkeling in frigid ocean water isn't your thing, you can also buy a ticket to watch the acrobatic dolphins from the boat. The tours fill up quickly so booking in advance is essential.

Swimming with Seals. I have been told seals are more curious and interactive with human swimmers than the dolphins (but in my experience the dolphins were quite friendly!). Seal Swim Kaikoura offers daily viewing and swimming tours with these spirited mammals.

Whale Watching from the Air. Wings Over Whales offers 30-minutes flights over the bay, where you can see the full body of the sperm whales and size of the dolphin pods from above.

Ohau Point and Waterfall. About 20km north of town, Ohau Point is a popular place to see seals "hauling out" of the water for a rest on the rocky shore. Across the street a short hike brings you to a waterfall - and if you're lucky a nursery of young fur seal pups! Please be respectful of nature and keep your distance. During the breeding season the trail to the waterfall is closed.

Peninsula Seal Colony. Within town, tourists can get their seal fix at the Peninsula Seal Colony, a rocky outcrop. This may be the best way to see seals up close (but don't get too close) and in their natural habitat. Afterwards, take a nice little walk on the boardwalk trail and take in the view at Point Kean.

FOOD

Fish 'n' chips and ice cream are two musts in Kaikoura. You'll find no shortage of chippies on the main road; I recommend Tiki Takeaway. When you're done scarfing down fried blue cod, head over to Poppy's for some creamy homemade ice cream to take for a walk along the nearby beach.

HEALTH + SAFETY

Seals can be aggressive and territorial. Keep at least 15 meters between you and a seal, and even more if they are with their pups.

If you plan to take a boat tour and you are prone to seasickness, bring motion-sickness tablets or an aqua strap. You can buy medicated tablets in any local pharmacy, and tour companies often sell more natural remedies and ginger candies in their gift shops.

QUESTIONS?

My visit to Kaikoura was brief, but if you have questions please feel welcome to reach out to me at yesmomimalive@gmail.com.

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