Literally named for its food, kaikoura in the Maori language means "crayfish food." Most restaurants in Kaikoura serve this local specialty, caught right off the coast. Kaikoura is actually very well known for other marine life as well; there is an abundant population of seals, dolphins, and whales that live permanently in the ocean near the town. A whale watching tour taken from Kaikoura is almost always fruitful, with plenty of wildlife to observe, including a local population of fur seals that are pretty entertaining. Located just a few hours from Christchurch, Kaikoura is a great spot for a day trip.
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Step 1: Visit the website and book directly and/or call ahead to confirm their hours.
Step 2: If you are spending the night, search for Hotel Deals nearby. Read the reviews, then call the hotel directly to book and ask for a romantic, kid-friendly or pet-friendly amenity if you need it.
Step 3: If you are flying, compare Flights. Book directly with the airline, add your frequent flier number and reserve your seat.
Step 4: Estimate your driving time using Google Maps (click the blue 'Directions' arrow in the search box).
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Read our Reservations & Travel Planning Tips guide.