A GUIDE TO KAIKOURA'S INCREDIBLE WILDLIFE
2 OCTOBER 2025
Kaikoura is hands down one of my favourite places to capture wildlife in New Zealand. What makes it so special is how accessible it all is - you don’t need a boat or a tour to see incredible animals in their natural habitat, although there are plenty of wildlife tours to choose from to see the amazing creatures up close! From the beach or even just driving along the highway, you can spot whales and dolphins playing in the waves, seals lounging on the rocks and a huge variety of birds along the coastline (shags and herons are my favourite). Every corner of this rugged coastline feels alive and no matter how many times we visit, it feels like there’s always something new to discover and photograph. If you love getting up close with nature, Kaikoura is a wildlife paradise and is the kind of place that stays with you long after you’ve left.
In this guide I'll show you all the beautiful wildlife in Kaikoura such as whales, seals, dolphins and various birds, when the best time to see them is and where you'll find them along the stunning coastline.
In this guide I'll show you all the beautiful wildlife in Kaikoura such as whales, seals, dolphins and various birds, when the best time to see them is and where you'll find them along the stunning coastline.
Whales
Kaikoura is one of the best places in New Zealand to see whales. Just 500 metres off the coast, the seafloor drops a dramatic 1,400 metres into the Kaikoura Canyon. On clear days you can even spot where the water shifts from light turquoise to a deep, dark blue - this can be spotted from the Kaikoura Peninsula Track but you can also see it even just from the beach some days! The canyon connects to the Hikurangi Trench, which brings up nutrient-rich waters, creating the perfect feeding ground for whales right by the coastline.
You can see sperm whales, humpback whales, blue whales, southern right whales, orcas, pilot whales, minke whales, beaked whales and fin whales. The most popular whales to see in Kaikoura are the sperm whales which are living around the coastline all year round.
You can see sperm whales, humpback whales, blue whales, southern right whales, orcas, pilot whales, minke whales, beaked whales and fin whales. The most popular whales to see in Kaikoura are the sperm whales which are living around the coastline all year round.
When is the best time to see whales in Kaikoura?
There are whales along the Kaikoura coastline all year round, thanks to the deep trench just 500mm offshore and Kaikoura is one of the few places in the world where you can see sperm whales all year round!
The migrating season for other whales is between June and August, so visiting in winter is one of the best times to see humpback whales and southern right whales. We did a whale cruise in September and saw so many humpback whales!
If you're wanting to spot some orca whales then the summer months are your best chance - we saw orcas at Whites Bay in Marlborough one summer and it was just amazing!
As the whales are in their natural habitat, you can' predict when you'll see any and while there are certain times of the year that you may see them more than others, you just might get the luck of the draw and see some the day you visit!
The migrating season for other whales is between June and August, so visiting in winter is one of the best times to see humpback whales and southern right whales. We did a whale cruise in September and saw so many humpback whales!
If you're wanting to spot some orca whales then the summer months are your best chance - we saw orcas at Whites Bay in Marlborough one summer and it was just amazing!
As the whales are in their natural habitat, you can' predict when you'll see any and while there are certain times of the year that you may see them more than others, you just might get the luck of the draw and see some the day you visit!
Where can you see whales in Kaikoura?
While you can't legally swim with whales in New Zealand (you'll have to go to Tonga for that experience!), you have a few ways to see these magnificent creatures.
The first option is FREE and it's to try and spot them along the Kaikoura coastline, although you won't be able to get too close to them from here but it's really cool when you do see them, especially if they show off their tails or come up to blow. We have seen humpback whales a few hundred metres off shore around Goose Bay, where the marine reserve begins just 15 mins south of Kaikoura Town. I'll give you one of the best tips you will ever need - drive near to where you see a whale watch boat has stopped, or where a whale watch flight is circling because there is a very high chance there are whales about!
The next option (and my favourite) to see the whales is by taking a whale watching cruise. We did the tour with Whale Watch Kaikoura, who are the only vessel-based whale watching company in Kaikoura and we can't recommend them enough! We had the BEST time and it was an all round incredible experience that we'll remember forever. The whale boats are catamarans and can actually go super fast! The captain takes you out to where the last sightings of whales were, or to where a whale watch plane is circling and if you're lucky then you'll see 1 or many whales from the boat! This is my favourite option as it's a 2 hour cruise and you get to see the whales up really close and have the chance of capturing a really cool tail shot (usually by the sperm whale).
The third option is via a whale watching flight - whether it's via helicopter or plane you'll get a birds eye view of any whales in the area! You don't get super close to the water on the flights, so you will need a telephoto lense to see them up close or just enjoy seeing them swim about and come to the surface.
The first option is FREE and it's to try and spot them along the Kaikoura coastline, although you won't be able to get too close to them from here but it's really cool when you do see them, especially if they show off their tails or come up to blow. We have seen humpback whales a few hundred metres off shore around Goose Bay, where the marine reserve begins just 15 mins south of Kaikoura Town. I'll give you one of the best tips you will ever need - drive near to where you see a whale watch boat has stopped, or where a whale watch flight is circling because there is a very high chance there are whales about!
The next option (and my favourite) to see the whales is by taking a whale watching cruise. We did the tour with Whale Watch Kaikoura, who are the only vessel-based whale watching company in Kaikoura and we can't recommend them enough! We had the BEST time and it was an all round incredible experience that we'll remember forever. The whale boats are catamarans and can actually go super fast! The captain takes you out to where the last sightings of whales were, or to where a whale watch plane is circling and if you're lucky then you'll see 1 or many whales from the boat! This is my favourite option as it's a 2 hour cruise and you get to see the whales up really close and have the chance of capturing a really cool tail shot (usually by the sperm whale).
The third option is via a whale watching flight - whether it's via helicopter or plane you'll get a birds eye view of any whales in the area! You don't get super close to the water on the flights, so you will need a telephoto lense to see them up close or just enjoy seeing them swim about and come to the surface.
Dolphins
I've lost count of how many dolphins we have seen when driving past the Kaikoura coastline - some days we spot 60 as we drive by on the highway and other times we see just a couple and no matter how many we see, it's always such a treat!
Kaikoura is home to dusky dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, hectors dolphins (which are endemic to NZ - they are only found in this beautiful country!), southern right whale dolphins and common dolphins.
Kaikoura is home to dusky dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, hectors dolphins (which are endemic to NZ - they are only found in this beautiful country!), southern right whale dolphins and common dolphins.
When's the best time to see the dolphins in Kaikoura?
Kaikoura is one of the best places in the world to see dolphins, and the timing really depends on which ones you’re after (I'm just happy to see any!). We were told by our guide on the whale watch cruise to come back in summer (we did the cruise in early spring) as there are THOUSANDS of dolphins! Dusky dolphins are your best bet as they’re around all year and Hector’s dolphins hang close to shore in tiny pods of 4 -8 and can also be seen all year round. Bottlenose dolphins turn up occasionally, usually in summer, while common dolphins form big offshore schools mostly from summer through autumn. If you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse of southern right whale dolphins which are rare visitors to Kaikoura and are usually seen in summer.
Where are the best spots to see the dolphins in Kaikoura?
Sometimes you are lucky enough to see dolphins from your car and we have even seen them at the marine reserve in Goose Bay (15 minutes south of Kaikoura, beside the highway) but the best place to see them is from a boat cruise. We saw LOADS on our whale watching cruise which was absolutely magical but there is a dedicated dolphin encounter cruise in Kaikoura and you can even swim with them - how incredible is that?!
Seals
New Zealand seals are some of the cutest wildlife you'll find in New Zealand - they really do like sea puppies! We have seen them all over New Zealand - in Northland, Wellington, the West Coast, the Catlins and Dunedin but I reckon the best place to see them by far is in Kaikoura, where large colonies of seals swim around and play on the rocks after spending a week or two feeding at sea.
When's the best time to see seals in Kaikoura?
Anytime! The NZ fur seals hang around all year round, so you will always be able to see these beautiful creatures along the Kaikoura Coastline. The Pups are born late November - January and are VERY cute to watch! We have see the seals at all different times of the day, there are always some hanging around.
Where are the best places to see seals in Kaikoura?
The seals in Kaikoura are all along the coastline but there are two spots to visit where you are guaranteed to see them - the first place is at Ohau Point which is 25 minutes north of Kaikoura. If you are heading to or from Picton then you will be passing by Ohau Point and the best thing about this spot is it's right beside the main highway, so there's no detour if you're short on time! There is a carpark at the lookout and the boardwalk is right beside the carpark which allows you to look down and across at the seal colony. You can walk along the path either side to see more seals and you'll no doubt see lots of shags (birds) hanging out on the tall rocks around here too. Click here for the location on Google Maps.
The other, best place to see the seals in Kaikoura is at Point Kean which is at the end of the Kaikoura Peninsula, 10 minutes past the town. This is my favourite place to see them because there are soooo many all scattered around the coastline here and I love how you are down on ground level with them (unlike at Ohau Point where you are looking at seals from above). We like to walk to Whaler's Point to see the seal colony here as at high tide the seal pups love to play in the water around the shore.
The other, best place to see the seals in Kaikoura is at Point Kean which is at the end of the Kaikoura Peninsula, 10 minutes past the town. This is my favourite place to see them because there are soooo many all scattered around the coastline here and I love how you are down on ground level with them (unlike at Ohau Point where you are looking at seals from above). We like to walk to Whaler's Point to see the seal colony here as at high tide the seal pups love to play in the water around the shore.
Birds
Kaikoura is a great place for birdwatcher’s where you can spot albatrosses, petrels, shearwaters, gulls, terns and shags. You can also spot oystercatchers, banded dotterels, ducks, herons and there are pleeeenty of seagulls! In the forests you’ll find tui, bellbirds, fantails, wood pigeons, silvereyes and grey warblers. This is the beauty of where the mountains meet the sea - you get the best of both worlds!
Where is the best place to bird watch in Kaikoura?
Along the coastline is one of my favourite spots - we often spot shags and herons along the rocks at the beach by the town and also along the Kaikoura Peninsula Track. You can go on an albatross encounter to see them up close on the ocean. If you're keen to see a seagull, just chuck some food down by your feet when you're at the beach and they will all flock to you ;)
Head to Mt Fyffe to see/hear the inland birds. We did the Hinau Track at the base of Mt Fyffe and had the most beautiful bird song by bellbirds - it was so beautiful to listen to!
Head to Mt Fyffe to see/hear the inland birds. We did the Hinau Track at the base of Mt Fyffe and had the most beautiful bird song by bellbirds - it was so beautiful to listen to!
Final Thoughts
Experiencing the wildlife in Kaikoura should be on all traveller's South Island list! There is so much beauty to enjoy here and you can see as much or as little as you like - with people or in solitude. The area is so incredibly beautiful and is where the mountains meet the sea, just 2.5 hours north of Christchurch and there are trains and buses that go to and from Christchurch if you don't have a car!
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We’ve got you covered with everything you need for an unforgettable adventure. From fully customized itineraries tailored to your interests and group, to expert consultations, detailed maps and insider travel guides — our services take the stress out of planning so you can focus on enjoying your journey. Because we have such an in depth knowledge of travelling New Zealand (full time since 2022!) we're able to offer so much insight into what makes New Zealand so special and where go, beyond the guide books.
Whether you’re exploring solo, traveling with family, or adventuring with friends, we provide personalized support and local knowledge every step of the way. Discover hidden gems, plan your perfect routes, and unlock the best experiences New Zealand has to offer, all in one place.
Ready to start planning your perfect New Zealand adventure?
Click here to explore our services and get started!
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