Holiday homes & rentals in Kaikoura

Kaikoura is New Zealand's premier destination for aquatic adventures. Located on the north-eastern coast of South Island, it's a picturesque harbour and resort in its own right, so there's no need to weigh anchor if visitors just want to relax on the beach. But the real attractions lie offshore. Accommodation here offers a great chance to spot sperm whales, humpback whales, orcas, dusky dolphins and other legends of the sea. Expert guides will show the way, providing experiences that visitors won't forget. If nature is your passion, this is the place to rent a holiday cottage.

Enjoy Stellar Seafood at Kaikoura's Popular Eateries

Kaikoura accommodation offers some sublime restaurants, where chefs use the region's seafood to create culinary masterpieces. If you're looking for a snack before boarding a whale-watching vessel, Kaikoura Seafood BBQ has what you need. From chowders to grilled crayfish, it offers a cornucopia of marine delicacies.

Emporium Brewery mixes up craft brewing with surf and turf cuisine, while Allure Cafe is probably the number one spot to fill up on healthy breakfasts before moving onto the day's attractions. And the innovative Groper Garage serves up fine fish dishes in a converted mechanic's shop. All are can be reached from Kaikoura accommodation with ease.

There are even some boutique wine producers to discover at Kaikoura accommodation. For instance, Esses make elite sparkling wines. If you want to toast your vacation, there's no better place to do so.

Glimpse Majestic Sea Creatures from Kaikoura's Nature-Spotting Fleet

Nature is the number one appeal of a holiday cottage in Kaikoura, there's no doubt about it. New Zealand's waters teem with large species that are rare or hard to spot elsewhere. But here they frolic and show off for visitors, and every boat trip from Kaikoura harbour seems to offer rich natural spectacles.

Some operators offer trips where visitors can swim with dolphins. Others let you get as close as possible to sperm whales as they surface. Some know how to spot rare birds like the Albatross, which never leaves the sea's waves. And some are all about the region's charismatic fur seals.

If nature watching isn't your scene, Kaikoura accommodation is also great for fishing fans. Companies like Kaikoura Boat Tours offer short trips or extended multi-day adventures, with all of the equipment you need thrown in. And with such rich seas, impressive catches are a certainty.

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