Kaikōura, set on New Zealand’s East Coast and conveniently located between Ōtautahi Christchurch and Picton, offers a coastal setting unlike any other. Here, the natural environment takes centre stage, drawing visitors with its diverse wildlife, stargazing, and landscapes. Adventure seekers can enjoy scenic flights, unique ocean encounters, and the region’s renowned seafood. Just offshore, an undersea canyon plunges more than 1,200 metres deep, attracting species such as whales, the native kekeno (New Zealand fur seal), dusky dolphins, and a variety of birdlife, whether exploring by land, sea, or air.

Kaikōura officially recognised as a New Zealand Dark Sky Sanctuary

On 11 September 2024, DarkSky International awarded this designation, making it the 22nd location globally and the third in New Zealand, joining Aotea Great Barrier Island and Stewart Island/Rakiura. The designation marks a milestone for the Kaikōura Dark Sky initiative. Sanctuary status is reserved for locations that offer outstanding star-filled nights and a protected nocturnal environment valued for its scientific, natural, educational, and cultural significance.

Recognised for its marine wildlife

Kaikōura is renowned for whale watching in New Zealand. Local tour operators offer the chance to observe whales, dolphins, and other marine species by boat, flight, and from land, with opportunities to swim with dolphins in their natural environment. The region is also regarded as a significant birding location, with coastal, pelagic, and alpine species present within a relatively small geographic area.