Peninsula Seal Colony
Peninsula Seal Colony, Kaikoura: Address, Peninsula Seal Colony Reviews: 4.5/5
Peninsula Seal Colony
Peninsula Seal Colony
4.5
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The area
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
32 within 5 kms
Kaikoura Seafood BBQ
771
0.9 km$$ - $$$ • Quick Bites • Seafood • Barbecue
The Pier Hotel Restaurant
1,300
1.6 km$$ - $$$ • Bar • Seafood • European
Cafe Encounter
477
3 km$$ - $$$ • Quick Bites • Cafe • International
Zephyr Restaurant
233
3.8 km$$ - $$$ • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options • Gluten Free Options
Poppy's Handmade Ice Cream Parlour & Cafe
259
3.9 km$ • Dessert • Cafe • Seafood
The Whaler
543
3.7 km$$ - $$$ • Quick Bites • Bar • Pub
The Craypot
280
3.7 km$$ - $$$ • Quick Bites • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Thai Siam Kaikoura
375
3.7 km$$ - $$$ • Asian • Thai • Vegetarian Friendly
Coopers Catch Kaikoura
818
3.9 km$ • Quick Bites • Seafood • Fast food
Black Rabbit Pizza
469
4.1 km$$ - $$$ • Pizza • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Attractions
11 within 10 kms
Fyffe House
150
1.1 kmHistoric Sites
The Point Sheep Shearing Show
61
1 kmFarms
Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway
1,152
3.5 kmHiking Trails
Ohau Point Seal Colony
1,223
3.6 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Kaikoura i-SITE Visitor Information Centre
322
3.5 kmVisitor Centres
Kaikoura Museum
142
3.6 kmHistory Museums
Kaikoura Marine Aquarium
57
1.5 kmAquariums
Kaikoura Lookout
14
1.9 kmLookouts
Maori Leap Cave
33
4.4 kmCaverns & Caves
Lavendyl Lavender Farm
171
Farms
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4.5
386 reviews
Excellent
246
Very good
118
Average
19
Poor
3
Terrible
0
422iana
Dunedin, New Zealand3,067 contributions
Dec 2021 • Family
You can walk along the coast on the rocks to the colony. There are ropes set up so that the seas get some protection. There is a path from the car park that goes up the hill. You can follow this for 45 mins and then down the stairs to make a loop.
Written 30 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Sharpei72
Christchurch, New Zealand315 contributions
Sep 2021 • Couples
Fantastic natural environment to see seas. Interesting walking with plenty of dead to see. You could spend a few hours exploring the coastline.
Written 11 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
#TeamBailes
Kirwee, New Zealand3 contributions
Jul 2021 • Family
We booked a long weekend away in Kaikoura with the boys (8 and 10). We arrived after lunch on Friday and popped into i-Site to work out what we were going to do on the Saturday and the lovely lady planned the Friday afternoon for us - there had been a sighting of a Southern Wright Whale and her calf so suggested we drive out to the Seal Colony, walk up to the lookout and around the top of the cliff to Whalers Bay, down to the beach and back to the car park stopping at The Pier Hotel on way home. We all had the best afternoon, saw 100s and 100s of Seals, collected heaps of shells and found heaps of crab. Would not of done any of this without her suggestion and glad we did - great afternoon had by all.
Written 30 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Wendy L
6 contributions
Jul 2021
Great place, easy to get to and explore. A very natural environment with the shoreline, rocks and seals. Don't forget your camera, good photo opportunities. If you have time, climb up the hill to the lookout. Good to know that there are toilet facilities here also.
Written 22 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Lansom
Tweed Heads, Australia82 contributions
Jun 2021 • Family
Don’t get too excited seeing one or two seals near the car park, a 15 minute walk from the reveals thousands of them!!! Be mindful of kids running up ahead though, some seals lay on the path or around corners and can scare you by barking and lunging at you. Hilarious now, not so funny at the time.
Written 10 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Sarah K
Wellington, New Zealand35 contributions
Jul 2021
Had a fantastic time chilling with the seals. Some of the best encounters. Very cool and relaxed colony.
Written 3 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Superwoman888
Auckland Central, New Zealand316 contributions
Mar 2021
To fully enjoy this natural wonder, allow at least an hour to visit.
Park at Point Kean carpark and walk out towards the water over the rocky platforms to see seals basking on the rocks. Make sure to keep a 10m distance. Lots to space to wander.
The weather was fine on the afternoon we visited, more care and good footwear if wet.
This part of Kaikoura coastline is spectacular when viewed from the clifftops. Access is along a path up the hill to a lookout platform. Stunning views out to sea on one side, mountain range on the other.
Start point is across the road. The path/peninsula walkway continues all the way to South Bay, 2-3 hrs.
Park at Point Kean carpark and walk out towards the water over the rocky platforms to see seals basking on the rocks. Make sure to keep a 10m distance. Lots to space to wander.
The weather was fine on the afternoon we visited, more care and good footwear if wet.
This part of Kaikoura coastline is spectacular when viewed from the clifftops. Access is along a path up the hill to a lookout platform. Stunning views out to sea on one side, mountain range on the other.
Start point is across the road. The path/peninsula walkway continues all the way to South Bay, 2-3 hrs.
Written 2 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Big D
5 contributions
Apr 2021 • Family
Has changed a lot since the earthquakes but always well worth a visit!! Toilets there are always good when you have small children
Written 11 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Naina-Damani
London, UK1,032 contributions
Mar 2020
We were driven in a group with AATKings and walked partially around the peninsula to see abundance of seals which was fascinating.
Written 28 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Peter G
New York City, NY42 contributions
Feb 2021
If you're willing to walk a bit far out onto the rocks, and maybe wade a bit (carefully!), you can get shockingly close to the basking seals . Although getting within 10 meters of them is the recommended limit - we opted for more like 15-20m at the closest. (Please note they could definitely outrun you over a 10m distance, and have powerful jaws and sharp teeth!). Once in their "zone", you really get the feeling that you are now squarely in the world of these huge beasts. The loud warning calls of the birds that will swarm around the area only adds to the otherworldly feeling. Exhilarating and memorable, for the careful wildlife enthusiast! There's also a lookout high above the coast a short walk up a paved path, where we spotted some leaping dusky dolphins in the distance!
Written 24 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Bonnie L
Okinawa Prefecture, Japan32 contributions
when is good time to visit if I want to take a 1.5-2 hr walk of it?
when does the tide come in?
Graham W
Sydney, Australia204 contributions
I would avoid the middle of the day as it would be hot for you and the seals will either be in the water or asleep in the shade. For tides, type "kaikoura tide times" into Google.
what's the price there?
Wendy B
Christchurch, New Zealand26 contributions
It is free, I would not suggest you try swimming with them ,as they can be very fast and feisty, the places they love the best is on the rock and not suitable for swimming. My husband was snapped at by a seal, he did not see it and his coat waved past it and caught its eye and it had a go. Yes, very fast and snappy Gave him a good old fright
Mimi G
Guangzhou, China51 contributions
has anyone been here to swim? are you allowed to go and swim with the seals by yourself?
surfingdude
Innsbruck, Austria, Europe39 contributions
You can swim there! I did a lot of freediving in this area. Seals are very playful in the water. They feel threatened on land and might bite when you come to close. In the water it´s a different story. They choose to check you out as they are very curious. Don´t try to touch them and you will be alright. The bad visibility, stormy seas and strong rips are however dangerous factors. You should be a strong and experienced swimmer in the ocean. Otherwise there are many tours which offer swimming with seals.
