The captivating town of Kaikoura is set on a peninsula that juts out in to the Pacific Ocean and is flanked by the snow-capped peaks of the Seaward Kaikoura Range mountains. Just 500 metres off the coast a deep canyon creates sea currents that draw plant and animal nutrients to the surface, which in turn attracts some magnificent marine wildlife. There is a resident population of giant sperm whales and playful dusky dolphins along with a host of seasonal visitors such as pilot, humpback and southern right whales, and orca. There is also a large seal colony and marine birdlife is abundant, with albatross, shearwater and petrel being some of the most recognisable.

Despite the large visitor numbers, Kaikoura retains a wonderful country feel and if you take a stroll around the lovely little shops and galleries you are sure to get chatting to the locals and absorb some of its charm. In 2002 Kaikoura became the first town in the world to achieve Green Globe status, a reflection of the commitment of the local community to protect their local environment.

Note: In November 2016  an earthquake caused major damage in and around Kaikoura. The town is very much back on its feet but work is still being undertaken on State Highway 1 north of the town. The road is closed at regular intervals so please speak with your consultant about how to avoid any disruption to your journey.