South Bay
A quiet bay on the south side of the peninsula, home to the whale-watching boat harbor, where you can also explore rocky tide pools and the site of a Māori fortified village.
South Bay lies on the southern side of the Kaikōura Peninsula, where whale-watching boats such as Whale Watch depart from the harbor. The bay has a car park, a picnic area and access to the peninsula trails. At low tide, the rocky tide pools reveal starfish and seaweed. On a hillside nearby is the site of the ancient Māori fortified village (pā) Ngā Niho, whose defensive ditches are still preserved. The 2016 earthquake lifted the seabed by about 1 m, markedly changing the shape of the coastline. Entry is free, and it is about 2 km from the town center.
Opening hours
Open all day
Nearby sights
- Kaikōura Peninsula Walkway
- Kaikōura Esplanade
- Kaikōura Seafood BBQ
- Swim with Dusky Dolphins (Dolphin Encounter)
- Albatross Encounter
- Fyffe House
- Kaikōura Museum
- Point Kean Seal Colony