Family Days Out Around Kaikoura

Kaikōura suits families because the wildlife is easy to reach and most operators price children separately. The sensible way to plan is by weather and energy rather than by attraction, so this page is built around the kind of day you are likely to have. Prices are in New Zealand dollars and were listed by the operators in October 2026.

A calm, dry day

  • Peninsula Walkway to Point Kean. The path from the town centre to the Point Kean car park is 4.4 km and takes about 50 minutes each way, so younger children may prefer to drive to the car park and walk the last 200 m to the viewpoint. Fur seals rest on the rocks nearby and watching them is free. The tide can cover the shoreline and the cliff edges are unfenced, so keep small children by the hand.
  • Hinau Track. This 45-minute loop starts at the Mt Fyffe car park and passes large hīnau trees. A stream on the route has no bridge, which is fine for school-age children but needs care with toddlers.
  • Ōhau Point lookout. About 25 km north on SH1, a free pull-off looks over a seal colony. Pups arrive mainly in summer. The shoreline is closed, and the Ōhau Stream waterfall walk has been closed since the 2016 earthquake, so everyone watches from the lookout.

A day on the water

Whale Watch charges about $60 for children aged 3 to 15, and children under 3 are not allowed on board. The trip takes about 3 hours 15 minutes in all, with just over 2 hours at sea. Motion-sickness goggles and bags are on the boat, and 80% of the fare is refunded if no whale is found.

Dolphin Encounter sells watching tickets for children aged 3 to 14 from about $95. Children aged 8 to 14 can swim from about $240, though pods that include young dolphins are left alone, so a swim is never certain. Seal swimming starts at age 12.

Boats are cancelled when the sea is rough, so put the water trip early in your stay and keep a spare morning free.

A wet day or a slow afternoon

  • Kaikōura Museum, 96 West End, is open daily 10am to 4pm except Christmas Day and Good Friday. Entry is $12 for adults and $6 for children, and preschoolers are free. The “New Normal” exhibition covers the 2016 earthquake.
  • Kaikōura Kayaks lists a family kayaking tour. Ask about minimum ages and prices when you book.
  • Llama trekking runs a taster of about 1 hour in the Kōwhai River valley and a longer half-day trek that visits a seal colony. Prices differ between listings, and the Kōwhai River flooded in July 2026, so confirm that treks are running.

For energetic older children

EcoZip Adventures runs a zipline tour of about 3.5 hours over five lines. Children pay about $129 and must go with an adult who is also ziplining. Adults pay about $199 and the family price is about $527. Ask the operator about the youngest age allowed.

Seal safety with children

Stay at least 20 m from any seal. Give mothers and pups more room, hold children close and keep dogs away. Never touch, feed or throw anything at a seal, and leave each animal a clear path to the water. Bites from males around the Point Kean car park are infectious. DOC takes reports of harassment on 0800 362 468.

Packing and timing

  1. A windbreaker for every family member, even in summer.
  2. A light meal before any boat trip.
  3. A check of NZTA Journeys before driving inland, since the July 2026 flood damaged roads.

Read more: Animal activities in Kaikoura and walking tours . Town overview: Kaikoura .

The seal rules are on the DOC seal advice page , and the operator’s rules and fares are on the Whale Watch FAQ . Look at other family trips through GetYourGuide .