Kaikoura Sightseeing: Seals and Heritage

Sights in and around Kaikōura

Most of Kaikōura’s best sights are free and close to the town centre: a clifftop peninsula, seal colonies and two small museums. Admission prices are in New Zealand dollars and were checked in October 2026.

Kaikōura Peninsula Walkway

The DOC walkway is a loop of about 11.7 km by the sum of its sections, and DOC advises at least 3 hours. It is free. The main sections are:

  • Town centre to the Point Kean car park: 4.4 km, about 50 minutes.
  • Car park to the Point Kean viewpoint: 200 m, about 5 minutes.
  • Point Kean to the Whalers Bay viewpoint: 1.5 km, about 25 minutes.
  • Whalers Bay to the South Bay viewpoint: 1.1 km, about 20 minutes.

High tide can block the shoreline. Do not return along the Whalers Bay shoreline, and take care at the unfenced cliff edges. Dogs are allowed on only three sections. See the DOC walkway page .

Seals at Point Kean

Fur seals rest near the Point Kean car park and viewing is free. Stay at least 20 m away, give mothers and pups extra room and keep dogs and children away. Males near the car park can bite, and the bite is infectious. Never touch or feed a seal, and leave it a clear route to the water. Report harassment to DOC on 0800 362 468.

Ōhau Point lookout

About 25 km north of town on SH1, a free lookout overlooks a fur seal breeding colony. Pups are born mainly in summer. The pull-off holds about 20 vehicles, and the lookout opened in October 2018 on the rerouted highway. The Ōhau Point Fur Seal Sanctuary, created in March 2014, closes the shoreline to the public, so stay at the lookout. The Ōhau Stream waterfall walk has been closed since the November 2016 earthquake.

Fyffe House

Fyffe House (62 Avoca Street) is a Heritage New Zealand cottage resting on piles made from southern right whale (tohorā) vertebrae. A whaling station was set up on the site in 1842, and three families lived in the house between 1844 and 1980. Adult entry is $10; check the Heritage New Zealand page for the children’s rate. Hours are daily 10am to 5pm from Labour Weekend to April, and Thursday to Monday 10am to 4pm from May to September. See Heritage New Zealand .

Kaikōura Museum

The museum at 96 West End is in the “craypot” building. It is open daily 10am to 4pm, except Christmas Day, Good Friday and the morning of ANZAC Day. Adults pay $12, children $6 and preschoolers are free. The long-term exhibition “New Normal” covers the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake, and “Wharenga: First Wave” covers surf history. See the museum website .

After dark

Kaikōura Dark Sky Sanctuary was designated on 12 September 2024 and covers nearly all the district outside the township. See the romantic getaways page for stargazing.

Tips

  • Carry a windbreaker, even for a short lookout walk.
  • Check the tide before walking the shoreline.
  • Roads around Kaikōura were damaged in July 2026 flooding, so check NZTA Journeys before driving.

Read more: Walking tours in Kaikoura and romantic getaways in Kaikoura .

For guided sightseeing, search GetYourGuide .