A small town at the foot of the mountains and by the sea, these two are so close that when you look at the peaks from the beaches bordering the town, you have the impression that the mountains are plunging into the ocean. And they would be right! The hikes in the surrounding mountains are splendid; but if one comes to Kaikōura it is above all to enjoy the sea. The marine fauna here is absolutely exceptional. Dolphins, sperm whales, whales, fur seals, albatrosses...all live here in great numbers and are the object of all attention. Among the main activities: boat or helicopter trips to observe whales and sperm whales, swimming sessions with dolphins or walks to meet sea lion colonies.If you are interested in the marine world, do not miss a stay here, you will leave with unforgettable memories! If you are a seafood lover, you will find your happiness here, with notably the famous and delicious lobsters! By the way, in Māori, "Kai" means "food", and "kōura" is the word for "lobster". In Māori culture, Kaikōura has a special significance: it is where Maui is said to have set foot to keep his balance when he hoisted the North Island out of the water, using the constellation Scorpio as a hook. Initially populated by Polynesian fishermen and then by European whale hunters, today it is the tourists who flock there (especially in summer) to enjoy the beauty of the surroundings.

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