Kaikōura, town in New Zealand
Kaikoura is a small coastal town on New Zealand's South Island, surrounded by snow-capped mountains and the Pacific Ocean. The town sits where the sea bed drops rapidly to depths over 1200 meters (3937 feet), creating a unique environment that attracts abundant marine life.
Māori people have lived in this area for centuries, relying on the sea and land for food and trade. European settlers arrived later and developed the town as a center for fishing and commerce.
The name Kaikoura comes from the Māori language and means "to eat crayfish", reflecting the deep connection between people and the sea. Daily life in town revolves around the coast, where locals fish, walk, and use boats to explore the ocean.
The town is easy to reach from Christchurch and Picton by car, train, or bus. A modern visitor center at 75 Westend provides information about activities and local sights in the area.
This is one of the few places in the world where you can see snow-capped mountain peaks in the morning and go swimming or whale watching in the afternoon. This unusual closeness of mountains and warm water allows a rare combination of activities in a single day.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
