South IslandKaikoura Region

Seal Watching

On Land vs. On Water

Kaikoura is genuinely one of the best places in NZ to get close to seals, and you've got two pretty different ways to do it. The Peninsula Walkway is the easy entry point. Seals are everywhere out there, sprawled on rocks, lazing on the beach. If you think something is a piece of driftwood, it's probably a seal. You'll smell them before you see them, which is its own kind of experience.

Get in the Water

For me though, the real thing is doing it by kayak. You're at their level, which changes everything. On land they're a bit sleepy and indifferent. On the water, they're curious and playful and anything can happen. If you're after something more immersive still, swimming with the seals is an option too, and the RANKERS promo code gets you a discount on that if you're booking it, which takes the edge off nicely.

Don't skip Ohau Point either, it's a roadside seal colony right on SH1 and worth a quick pull-over on the way in or out of town.

Seal Watching in Kaikoura

Location

All Locations

Page 1 of 1 | 6 experiences ranked by score

6 items with the highest ranking score first

Sunbathing seal at Ohau Point

Ohau Point Seal Colony

Off SH1 - Nth of Kaikoura

4.8 93 reviews

Watch NZ Fur Seals play - right next to State Highway 1.

Amazing rock formations on the peninsula

Watch seals in their natural habitat. Please give respect and provide them plenty of space.

Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway

Observe seals and seabirds, explore historic pā and whaling sites and enjoy clifftop views of the sea and mountains.

Viewpoint - 30 mins in

11.7 km return | 3 hours return

Swim with wild New Zealand fur seals in the shallow bays of the beautiful Kaikoura Peninsula. This is an experience you do not want to miss! No...

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