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Aerial image of a Humpback Whale breaching

Luxury Kaikoura Tours made for you

Experience the best of New Zealand with a private tour designed just for you

A picturesque coastal town and base for unique wildlife experiences

With the swelling Pacific Ocean on one side and the snowcapped Kaikoura Range on the other – Kaikoura is a quaint peninsula village that is a base for discovering some of New Zealand’s best wildlife. It is a remote coastal community midway between Christchurch and Blenheim famous for and even named after its crayfish – in Maori, ‘kai’ means food and ‘koura’ is crayfish.

The settlement itself is little more than its main street which is home to a cluster of artisan delis, craft stores, fish and chip shops, restaurants and cafes. Just off this main strip lies the rugged, seaweed-strewn coastline with crashing breaks that bring surfers from afar looking for the perfect wave.

Heading along this coast you can’t miss the local fur seal colony lazing on the rocks in the sun, playing in the water or raising endearing pups in the more secluded alcoves.

It is a spectacular environment and draws a regular stream of visitors for its marine mammal observations from whale watching boat trips to swimming with dolphins and seals as well as those keen to spot the blue penguin or numerous varieties of albatross that pass here.

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  • Hiking Mt Fyffe track with snow-capped mountain peaks in the background, Kaikoura, South Island. Vertical format.

From our experts

Experiences picked by our Kaikōura specialists

Observe wild dolphins

Take a boat trip to observe dolphins in the wild

Soak up the surf culture

Watching surfers take to the waves

Spend time with the local seals

Spotting the local fur seal colony

A word from one of our experts

Swimming with dolphins in the wild was something I always dreamed of doing. There are few places in the world where you can experience swimming with one of the most intelligent animals on the planet; Kaikoura being one of these places. Whether you’re diving or snorkelling with these Dusky Dolphins, there’s nothing quite like the excitement of a pod of 50 or more dolphins swimming up and close to you and making playful noises down your snorkel to encourage the dolphins to play with you. It’s an experience you really will remember for the rest of your life.

Rosanna Convey Travel Designer

Luxury accommodation in Kaikoura

There are many incredible places to stay in Kaikoura. Here are some of our favourites, handpicked by our travel designers:

Why book with Jacada?

  • Personalised design

    We’ll plan your trip around your specific interests, tastes and preferences, providing helpful tips and honest advice based on first-hand knowledge of the destination.

  • Authentic experiences

    Our expert guides and brilliant travel concierges are hand-picked to provide a genuine experience, bringing your destination to life with care and passion.

  • Responsible travel

    Our luxury trips are designed with responsible travel principles that prioritise travel experiences that are both good for you and good for the planet.

Trip inspiration

Get inspired with our New Zealand example trips and then get in touch to plan your own adventure

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Whatever you want from your New Zealand tour, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.

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Where else to go in New Zealand

Meet your Australasia team

When to visit

New Zealand is a year-round destination. In summer visit the beaches and explore the country’s National Parks. Spring is a mild time of year to travel and the countryside comes to life. In winter the South Island is a playground for outdoor adventures and epic scenery. Autumn sees cold, crisp days in the South Island and more mild rainy days in the North Island.

Wine Tasting in New Zealand

March - April

Ski and Snowboard

June - September

Whale and Dolphin Spotting

Year Round

When Is the Best Time to Visit New Zealand?

New Zealand travel guides

Plan your trip to Kaikoura

Whatever you want from your adventure in New Zealand, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.

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Don't take our word for it

“We enjoyed our first trip with Jacada…”

We enjoyed our first trip with Jacada and it surely won't be our last! Every detail and moment of our trip was perfectly planned. We were met every step of the way with courteous and knowledgeable drivers and guides. We really appreciated the local guides and the commitment they had to make every day special. Thank you Jacada for the…

Amy Schulz Trustpilot ★★★★★

“heavenly honeymoon”

My wife and I used Jacada to plan our honeymoon to French Polynesia. Working with the Jacada team was fantastic and effortless. Every question was quickly answered. Every hiccup was quickly addressed. We felt like we were in the hands of experts who are equally passionate about travel, and who were committed to helping us have the trip of a…

MJ Trustpilot ★★★★★

“Jacada Travel has been outstanding”

We enjoy traveling and we have used Jacada Travel for some wonderful trips over several years. We have never been disappointed. In 2024 we took a Safari in Botswana Africa and walked with the gorillas in Rwanda planned by Jacada and the itinerary was amazing. In 2025 we had planned a trip to Antartica ( with another company ) but…

Lisa Schrage Trustpilot ★★★★★

“Communication and organization were…”

Communication and organization were excellent. The Jacada team was helpful and genuinely interested in our experience. The guides were personable, knowledgeable, and clearly enjoy their work. Vehicles were spotless, timely, and coordinators managed our every need brilliantly. I will recommend Jacada to friends and family. The only way to travel!

Andrew Woodcock Trustpilot ★★★★★

“Iceland 8 Days”

We had a wonderful trip planned through Jacada. We enjoyed the venues and the excursions. This is a beautiful place we'd recommend to anyone who wants to go on a new adventure.

The Reynolds Trustpilot ★★★★★

Your trip, your story

We craft trips deeply personal, delightfully surprising and entirely one of a kind. Every Jacada journey begins in conversation with a travel designer, a specialist in their destination of expertise. Behind each journey is a wealth of insight, gathered over years of on-the-ground exploration.

Once you’re booked, you’ll meet your concierge. Based in the region you’re visiting, they’ll take care of all the details so your mind is at rest. They make the trip truly special – and truly yours.

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