Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Kaikoura?

Q: Is one day enough time in Kaikoura?

One day is usually not enough time to experience the unique town of Kaikoura, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. You don't want to miss the beaches, the hiking, the cuisine, and the nightlife. And you'll want even more time to just relax at the beach, too. So, you'll likely want more than one day, as many tourists set aside around two to four days for their visit. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your journey.

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Kaikoura?

Not sure how much time you'll need in Kaikoura, New Zealand? Most people spend two to four days in Kaikoura during their visit. After all, the unique town will let you swim at the beach, take a hike, enjoy a meal at a restaurant, and take advantage of the local nightlife.

Kaikoura is a coastal town on the South Island of New Zealand. It attracts tourists who want to get close to the region's truly amazing marine life. There are impressive whale watching trips where you can see Sperm Whales, and possibly even migrating whales when the season is right. There are also opportunities to swim with the dolphins and interact with other wildlife in the area.

Do you have one or two days to visit Kaikoura? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.

Is one day enough time in Kaikoura?

One day is usually not enough time to experience the unique town of Kaikoura, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. You don't want to miss the beaches, the hiking, the cuisine, and the nightlife. And you'll want even more time to just relax at the beach, too. So, you'll likely want more than one day, as many tourists set aside around two to four days for their visit. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your journey.

How to spend a day in Kaikoura

Don't miss its whale watching trips during your trip to Kaikoura, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.

The restaurant and food scene here is top notch, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine. Seafood lovers will be in heaven in this town! There are many local, freshly caught favorites such as cod, mussels, and crayfish (which is actually lobster). You'll find plenty of casual eateries, including an authentic American diner.

Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Kaikoura?

Kaikoura, a small town brimming with sights and attractions, holds immense popularity among tourists. So with a weekend, you'll probably feel rushed to swim at the beach, take a hike, enjoy a meal at a restaurant, and take advantage of the local nightlife. You really need more time to appreciate everything that the unique town has to offer. Many visitors prefer to have two to four days to enjoy the beach and other sights. If you have a weekend or less, we still have some great ideas for what to do while you're here.

Kaikoura, New Zealand

How to spend 2 days in Kaikoura

Having a weekend (two to three days) in Kaikoura will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the town.

The beautiful beaches await you in Kaikoura, so spend the day (or several, if you can) relaxing on the sand or swimming in the water. There are many black pebble beaches in the area, which are great for wildlife spotting, but not so good for swimming. Gooch's Beach is one of the most popular, and it's sandier than many of the other beaches. South Bay is another popular area to visit.

A few tour suggestions include:

Llama Trek (Half-day) - Kaikoura Bay, Beaches & Seal Colony ($153)
Seal Kayaking Adventure in Kaikoura ($83)
Private Wildlife Kayaking Tour - Kaikoura ($184)

The nightlife scene is very popular here. After dark, head out to one of the many venues around town. This is a small town so the nightlife scene is limited, but there are a few restaurants with bars around town.

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Kaikoura, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.