Seaview Motel: Kaikoura, New Zealand

Nestled in a bay along the Kaikoura Headland where the mighty Kaikoura Mountain Range reaches the Pacific Ocean the Kaikoura township offers a unique experience. Kaikoura has bountiful sea life and tours to get you up close to the magnificent whales, dolphins, seals, and albatrosses that frequent this coast. Fishing too is popular and visitors rarely go on a fishing charter and come home empty handed. We will be pleased to help you take advantage of all that Kaikoura has to offer but if you’d like to take a whale or dolphin tour then it is advisable to book these before you arrive.

Whether you enjoy just soaking up the surrounding beauty, walking the shores or more active pursuits, there’s plenty to see and do in Kaikōura on land, by sea, or in the air! Local tour operators offer the chance to watch whales, dolphins, sea-birds and many other species of marine life on a daily basis; by boat, flight and by land. With wet-suits provided, visitors can even join dolphins and seals in their ocean environment.

Kaikōura is renowned for its great fishing grounds, which anyone can enjoy by boat with a local fishing guide. Experience scuba diving the undersea world for some of the best reef diving in the country, or kayaking around the ruggedly beautiful Peninsula. If you prefer to stay on land, there is quad biking on a working beef and sheep farm with some exhilarating views, you can visit the lavender farm, enjoy a massage or a beauty treatment, check out the many mountain bike and walking tracks or explore Kaikōura’s history at Fyffe House and the museum, to name a few options.

Jutting out from the rugged east coast of the South Island, with a backdrop of steep mountains, snow-capped in winter, Kaikoura is a major attraction for visitors. Its wildlife, including whales, dolphins, seals, birds and crayfish, provides a unique experience. It is also an area rich in history and scenic beauty. The Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway provides easy access to explore the Kaikoura Peninsula. An impressive collection of information panels located along the walkway enables you to journey into the fascinating history of the people and to learn of the geology, the animals and the plants that make the area so special. The walk is classified as a walking track and is suitable for families, providing an easy to moderate half- or full-day trip. A section of the walkway is also accessible to wheelchairs. Walking shoes and warm, windproof clothing are required.

The thing to do in Kaikōura is to eat crayfish. Kaikōura literally means ‘eat crayfish’ in Māori, because the place used to be brimming with these delicacies. Legend has it that there used to be so many crays they would wash up on the beaches after storms and you could just grab them. Nowadays it’s a bit more tricky but it’s definitely one the most local things you must do while in this part of Canterbury.

Important traffic news

NIGHT TRAFFIC INFORMATION: SH1 to Christchurch will be CLOSED AT NIGHT from Sunday August 16th to late November for earthquake repairs. The road will be closed from 7pm in the evening to 7am in the morning. Full details are here: https://www.nzta.govt.nz/projects/kaikoura-earthquake-response/plan-your-journey/

Seaview Motel is located on the seafront in Kaikoura; just 10 minutes stroll to the main shops, bars and restaurants. Four of our units have magnificent views across the ocean and for the others it is only a few steps away. We offer affordable accommodation for the entire family and have plenty of free and secure off street parking for cars, boats and trailers. The property has free WiFi in all rooms.

Seaview Motel

Seaview Motel is located on the seafront in Kaikoura; just 10 minutes stroll to the main shops, bars and restaurants. Four of our units have magnificent views across the ocean and for the others it is only a few steps away. We offer affordable accommodation for the entire family and have plenty of free and secure off street parking for cars, boats and trailers. The property has free WiFi in all rooms.

Nestled in a bay along the Kaikoura Headland where the mighty Kaikoura Mountain Range reaches the Pacific Ocean the Kaikoura township offers a unique experience. Kaikoura has bountiful sea life and tours to get you up close to the magnificent whales, dolphins, seals, and albatrosses that frequent this coast. Fishing too is popular and visitors rarely go on a fishing charter and come home empty handed. We will be pleased to help you take advantage of all that Kaikoura has to offer but if you’d like to take a whale or dolphin tour then it is advisable to book these before you arrive.

We do not have dogs on the property

This is an upstairs unit that with not only looks directly out over the ocean but also magnificent views of the Kaikoura ranges. Bedding in this unit is a queen bed and 2 single beds all in the same studio space as the living and cooking areas.

Unit 1: Crows Nest

This is an upstairs unit that with not only looks directly out over the ocean but also magnificent views of the Kaikoura ranges. Bedding in this unit is a queen bed and a single bed all in the same studio space as the living and cooking areas.

This is a downstairs unit with a magnificent sea view. Bedding in this unit is a queen bed in the same studio space as the living and cooking areas and 2 single beds in a separate bedroom.

Unit 2: Starboard

This is a downstairs unit with a magnificent sea view. Bedding in this unit is a queen bed in the same studio space as the living and cooking areas and 2 single beds in a separate bedroom.

This is a downstairs unit with a magnificent sea view. Bedding in this unit is a queen bed and 3 single beds all in the same studio space as the living and cooking areas.

Unit 3: Seaspray

This is a downstairs unit with a magnificent sea view. Bedding in this unit is a queen bed and 3 single beds all in the same studio space as the living and cooking areas.

This is a downstairs unit that does not have a sea view. Bedding in this unit is a queen bed and a single bed all in the same studio space as the living and cooking areas.

Unit 4: The Brig

This is a downstairs unit that does not have a sea view. Bedding in this unit is a queen bed and a single bed all in the same studio space as the living and cooking areas.

This is a downstairs unit that does not have a sea view. Bedding in this unit is a queen bed in the same studio space as the living and cooking areas.

Unit 5: Anchor Inn

This is a downstairs unit that does not have a sea view. Bedding in this unit is a queen bed in the same studio space as the living and cooking areas.

This is a downstairs unit that does not have a sea view. Bedding in this unit is a queen bed in the same studio space as the living and cooking areas.

Unit 6: The Bridge

This is a downstairs unit that does not have a sea view. Bedding in this unit is a queen bed in the same studio space as the living and cooking areas.

This is a downstairs unit that does not have a sea view. Bedding in this unit is a queen bed in the same studio space as the living and cooking areas and 2 single bed in a separate bedroom.

Unit 7: Midships

This is a downstairs unit that does not have a sea view. Bedding in this unit is a queen bed in the same studio space as the living and cooking areas and 2 single bed in a separate bedroom.

This is a downstairs unit with magnificent sea and mountain views and its own conservatory. Bedding in this unit is a queen bed and a single bed in one bedroom and two single beds in another bedroom.

Unit 8: The Captains Table

This is a downstairs unit with magnificent sea and mountain views and its own conservatory. Bedding in this unit is a queen bed and a single bed in one bedroom and two single beds in another bedroom.

This is a downstairs unit that does not have a sea view. Bedding in this unit is a queen bed and a single bed in the same studio space as the living and cooking areas.

Unit 9: Castaway

This is a downstairs unit that does not have a sea view. Bedding in this unit is a queen bed in the same studio space as the living and cooking areas.

BBQ1

Other facilities

We have a large covered BBQ area perfect for cooking that snapper you caught or just sitting around and enjoying the evening.

What to see and do in Kaikoura

Whale watching tours are Kaikoura’s most popular attraction. The boats approach to within about 100m of the whales so you are guaranteed a breath-taking spectacle. Whales are seen 95% of the time.

Whales

Dolphin encounter gives you two different ways to enjoy our famous dusky dolphin pods, either from the comfort of the boat or right up close and in-person in the water

Dolphins

The Kaikoura coast is rich in fish and this gives us several large seal colonies. Some seal colonies are easily accessed on foot or by car or you can experience kayaking with seals for that close-up experience.

Seals

A short fifteen-minute boat ride out from the Kaikoura coast, and you're in an entirely new world, where you'll discover a large variety of pelagic birds including albatross, shearwaters, petrels, penguins, gannets, skuas, terns and more. It's a feeling of total freedom and wonder.

Albatrosses

Kaikoura Adventure Race 2021

Kaikoura Adventure Race

All types of fishing are popular in Kaikoura and there’s a fishing charter to suit everyone, whether it’s a family with children, fishing newbie or seasoned angler. The most commonly caught fish here are; Blue Cod, Grouper, Sea Perch and of course Crayfish.

Fishing

Experience the excitement of watching Fur Seals ducking, weaving and diving around your kayak. Paddle gently along with them as they swim around the Kaikoura Peninsula hunting for their favourite feed of Octopus. But be sure to keep your distance as they devour their delicious dinner in front of you, then watch in amazement as hundreds of Pelagic (ocean going) birds swoop in to clean up the tasty left-overs.

Kayaking

Cook Strait ferry choices

Cook Strait ferries

Experience Kaikoura’s mighty Sperm whale, playful Dusky Dolphins, and majestic scenery from above! The scenic flights showcase the very best of Kaikoura: from Seaward Kaikoura Mountain Ranges, to the Pacific Ocean and the Kaikoura Peninsula.

Whale flights

Seaview Motel

164 Esplanade
Kaikoura 7300
New Zealand

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Contact us

Contact Dave & Sandy

Email: stay@seaviewmotel.co.nz
Phone: +64 3 319 6149
Freephone: 0800 456 000

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