Hotels in Kaikoura (South Island, New Zealand)

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414 hotels in Kaikoura

  1. Sudima Kaikoura

    Waterfront location near town center
    See prices from 16 sites
    from$220

  2. The Anchor Inn Beachfront Motel

    Waterfront location with ocean views
    See prices from 4 sites
    from$279

  3. Kaikoura Quality Suites

    Private balconies with mountain views
    See prices from 13 sites
    from$126

  4. Kaikoura Gateway Motor Lodge

    Seasonal heated outdoor pool access
    See prices from 13 sites
    from$160

  5. Kaikoura Waterfront Apartments

    Access beachfront directly from property
    See prices from 15 sites
    from$180

  6. Dusky Lodge

    Seasonal poolside wood-fired pizza
    See prices from 7 sites
    from$94

  7. Sierra Beachfront Motel

    Proximity to whale watching tours
    See prices from 10 sites
    from$120

  8. Kaikoura Boutique Hotel

    Waterfront location near town center
    See prices from 1 site
    from$209

  9. Kaikoura Seaside Lodge

    Panoramic Ocean Views From Kitchen
    See prices from 6 sites
    from$112

  10. Kaikoura Motor Inn

    Enjoy panoramic mountain range views
    See prices from 9 sites
    from$173

  11. Kaikoura Beach Motel

    Garden access and bike rentals
    See prices from 10 sites
    from$146

  12. The Fairways Accommodation Kaikoura

    Helpful on-site tour desk services
    See prices from 13 sites
    from$164

  13. Donegal House

    Scenic Six Acre Garden Setting
    See prices from 3 sites
    from$146

  14. The White Morph

    Proximity to Kaikoura wildlife tours
    See prices from 8 sites
    from$169

  15. The Peninsula Kaikoura

    On-site tour desk assistance
    Select dates to see exact prices

  16. Koura Bay Golf Resort

    Panoramic Ocean And Mountain Views
    See prices from 15 sites
    from$167

  17. A1 Kaikoura Motels & Holiday Park

    Five Minute Walk To Town
    See prices from 4 sites
    from$126

  18. Bella Vista Motel Kaikoura

    Hilltop views of Kaikoura mountains
    See prices from 8 sites
    from$163

  19. Willowbank Motel

    Efficient contactless self check-in
    See prices from 12 sites
    from$138

  20. Alpine View Motel

    On-site tour desk assistance
    See prices from 9 sites
    from$133

  21. The Lazy Shag Lodge

    Garden and terrace outdoor space
    See prices from 3 sites
    from$131

  22. Mediterranean Motel Kaikoura

    Mountain views from motel units
    See prices from 5 sites
    from$137

  23. Austin Heights Scenic Bed & Breakfast

    Panoramic mountain and ocean views
    Select dates to see exact prices

  24. Futuna Rocks Motel

    Garden views and outdoor seating
    Select dates to see exact prices

  25. The Pier And Restaurant

    Select dates to see exact prices

  26. Waves Apartments

    Covered On-Site Parking Access
    See prices from 5 sites
    from$348

  27. Dolphin Lodge Backpackers

    Pacific Ocean and mountain views
    See prices from 4 sites
    from$91

  28. Lobster Inn Motel

    Ample parking for diverse vehicles
    See prices from 8 sites
    from$223

  29. Barnacle Bills

    Enjoy mountain and ocean views
    See prices from 9 sites
    from$208

  30. Bay Cottages

    Beachfront location in South Bay
    See prices from 3 sites
    from$215

  31. Kaikōura Peaks eMotel

    Private patios with mountain views
    See prices from 4 sites
    from$285

  32. Kaikoura Top 10 Holiday Park

    Utilize heated pool and games
    See prices from 14 sites
    from$84

  33. The Factory Luxury Accomodation

    On-site spa and wellness facilities
    See prices from 10 sites
    from$360

  34. The Point B&B

    Grassy paddock for self-contained campers
    Select dates to see exact prices

  35. Hotel Fyffe Country Lodge

    Guest room mountain view amenities
    See prices from 4 sites
    from$478

The prices and availability we receive from booking sites change constantly. This means you may not always find the exact same offer you saw on trivago when you land on the booking site.

Other stays in Kaikoura

Popular hotel categories in Kaikoura

Discover where the whales are, in beautiful Kaikoura

Regarded among the world’s best places to watch sperm whales in their natural habitat, Kaikoura on the north-east coast of New Zealand’s spectacular South Island is also blessed with a beautiful setting overlooked by snow-capped mountains. Kaikoura teems with wildlife because just offshore a Pacific Ocean trench plummets sharply, making the surrounding waters an abundant feeding ground for marine animals. Indeed, seals, dolphins, penguins and other birds can be spotted relatively easily. With road and rail links to Christchurch and Picton plus hotels, restaurants and local attractions aplenty, Kaikoura doubles as an excellent base for exploring the great outdoors Kiwi-style.

Go whale-watching

The promise of seeing sperm whales and other cetaceans in the wild brings travellers to Kaikoura from far and wide. With the largest brain of any animal on earth and sometimes measuring more than 20 metres long, the sperm whale is an awesome sight and the population of these huge marine mammals living off the coast helps to keep Kaikoura’s hotels busy. A peculiar blend of Pacific Ocean currents and the shape of the continental shelf, which drops away steeply for about half-a-mile just off the Kaikoura Peninsula, make the surrounding waters into a nutrient-rich feeding hotspot for herds of sperm whales and pods of dolphins. Kaikoura even takes its name from the Maori expression for “a meal of crayfish” as the marine life is so abundant. Now that sustainable ecotourism has replaced outlawed whale hunting as the local breadwinner in this corner of the Canterbury region, visitors can enjoy organised whale-spotting boat tours, which are the commonest way to observe the creatures up close. Those with a bigger budget can also consider chartering a small plane and a pilot from Kaikoura Aerodrome for whale-spotting flights.

A host of local attractions to enjoy

Following a powerful earthquake in November 2016, Kaikoura is returning to normal, but some of the interesting local attractions and infrastructure like State Highway 1 were adversely affected. So, it’s advisable to check the status of local roads, railways and attractions before you visit. Nevertheless, the town still possesses plenty to see and do before or after your whale-watching experience. Whichever hotel you choose, you won’t be far from the Kaikoura Museum in the town centre, where there’s also a smattering of seafood restaurants. It chronicles Kaikoura’s social, cultural and natural history through a wealth of old photographs, Maori artefacts, whaling tools and even the fossilised remains of an extinct plesiosaur. Heading on to the Kaikoura Peninsula, the wood-panelled Fyffe House in Avoca Street harks back to mid 19th century when European settlers arrived by sea to found a whaling station. Built on foundations made of whalebones, this pretty cottage is the town’s oldest surviving building. It contains exhibits and historical objects lifting the lid on Kaikoura’s whaling days. Nearby, the Kaikoura Marine Centre and Aquarium features touch tanks and exhibits about local marine life such as sharks and seahorses.

From Kaikoura’s hotels, it’s easy to reach fun hinterland attractions like Kaikoura Farm Park, where travellers can encounter more than 100 cute free-range animals, including ponies, pigs, llamas, sheep and alpacas. The theme around New Zealand’s agricultural and farming traditions continues at the Point Sheep Shearing Show. Located out on the Kaikoura Peninsula, this daily display of live sheep-shearing is a fun and educational show. In springtime, visitors can even hold and feed a lamb.

Kaikoura brims with wildlife

Sperm whales may grab the biggest headlines when it comes to Kaikoura’s top wildlife attractions, but a host of other creatures have made their homes in the surrounding area too. A colony of New Zealand fur seals can be found on rock platforms at Point Kean on the Kaikoura Peninsula, where those with eagle eyes might also spot penguins and open ocean seabirds like albatrosses, petrels and Hutton’s shearwaters, which nest in the mountains of the nearby Seaward Kaikoura Range; a northern extension of the Southern Alps. An ever-popular draw for visitors, the beautiful seals spend their time relaxing on the rocks in between occasional dives below the water to feed on fish. Be careful not to get too close, however, as seals can show aggression if they feel threatened. To see even more seals, visit the Ohau Stream and Waterfall walking trail located about 15 miles north of Kaikoura and its hotels. This short scenic trail leads to picturesque waterfalls frequently visited by seal colonies. Lucky visitors might get to see playful seal pups making a splash in the waterfall pool.

Get active in the great outdoors

Those who like to leave their hotel and get active on holiday will love the range of outdoor pursuits on offer in and around Kaikoura. For walkers, there’s the Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway which gently wends its way past viewpoints of the town and mountains to Point Kean, where a colony of seals awaits. The main route takes about one hour, but there are optional legs walkers can add on for a longer stroll. Those tempted to explore the raw natural beauty of the Seaward Kaikoura Range can jump on their mountain bikes or lace up their hiking boots and head for tramping trails like the Mount Fyffe Track, which boasts rewarding coastline views. For those attracted by the lure of the ocean, Kaikoura also boasts numerous opportunities for scuba-diving, sea fishing and even snorkelling with seals on guided boat tours.

When to book a hotel in Kaikoura

  • Cheapest month: May
    $180 per night
  • Yearly typical price
    $222 per night
  • Peak month: February
    $284 per night

Frequently Asked Questions about Kaikoura

  • When is the cheapest time to book a hotel in Kaikoura?

    May is usually the cheapest month to book a hotel in Kaikoura, with typical prices around $180 per night based on 88 price comparisons.

  • When are hotel prices highest in Kaikoura?

    Hotel prices in Kaikoura are usually highest during February, with typical prices around $284 per night.

  • How much does a hotel in Kaikoura cost per night?

    Hotel prices in Kaikoura usually range from $148 per night to $489 per night, with typical prices around $222 per night.

  • How do hotel prices in Kaikoura change throughout the year?

    Hotel prices in Kaikoura are typically lowest in May at around $180 per night, rising to around $284 per night in February.

  • November

    2026

    $227
    $163 — $405

  • December

    2026

    $246
    $165 — $448

  • January

    2027

    $272
    $201 — $514

  • February

    2027

    $284
    $181 — $489

  • March

    2027

    $248
    $179 — $501

  • April

    2027

    $221
    $163 — $430

  • May

    2027

    $180
    $148 — $366

  • June

    2027

    $206
    $148 — $374

  • July

    2027

    $222
    $180 — $417

  • August

    2027

    $220
    $146 — $420

  • September

    2027

    $221
    $174 — $324

  • October

    2027

    Select dates to see exact prices

Frequently Asked Questions about Kaikoura

Hotels in Kaikoura

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