Jet Boating Around Kaikōura by Campervan: Rivers Between the Mountains and Sea

Quick summary: For campervan travellers on the coast road between Picton and Christchurch, Kaikōura is famous for its whales, dolphins and seals, and its rivers offer jet boat experiences too. The Seaward Kaikōura Range rises straight from the sea, and the braided rivers that flow down from it reach the coast close to the town. Jet boat trips here are a smaller, more local experience than in Queenstown, and pair well with a whale-watching trip and a night in a campervan or motorhome on the peninsula.

At a glance
Where	The rivers and coast around Kaikōura
From Christchurch	Around 180 km
From Picton	Around 160 km
Style	River and coastal jet boat experiences
Pair with	Whale watching, dolphin encounters, seal colonies
Tours	Kaikōura jet boat tours

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What are jet boat trips like around Kaikōura?

The landscape is the draw. Rivers run in wide, braided channels from the mountains to the sea, and jet boats are made for exactly this kind of shallow, gravelly water. Trips around Kaikōura tend to be smaller and more personal than the big operations further south, and the options vary, so check the current choices on the Kaikōura jet boat tours page when planning.

How does a jet boat ride fit around whale watching?

Easily. Whale-watching trips usually run in the morning when seas are calmest, leaving the afternoon free for a jet boat ride, a walk on the peninsula or a visit to the seal colony. Both depend on the weather, so having two nights in Kaikōura gives you flexibility.

Where should you park the RV in Kaikōura?

At one of the town’s holiday parks, within reach of the whale-watching base and the peninsula. Kaikōura is small and easy to drive around, and most operators have parking nearby. The Peninsula Walkway car park, with its seal colony, has room for larger vehicles.

What else is there to do in Kaikōura?

• Whale watching by boat or air, to see the sperm whales that feed in the deep canyon offshore.
• Dolphin encounters, watching or swimming with dusky dolphins.
• The Peninsula Walkway, a clifftop walk with seals and seabirds.
• Seafood, especially crayfish, from roadside stalls and cafés.

For the local guide, see christchurchtours.co.nz’s Kaikōura page and its Kaikōura tours.

How do you get there?

On the coastal State Highway 1, around 180 km from Christchurch or 160 km from Picton, or on the inland road from Hanmer Springs. See our sister site’s Marlborough and Kaikōura route.

Where can you stay?

Kaikōura has holiday parks on the peninsula and in town. Freedom camping in a certified self-contained vehicle is limited to the sites Kaikōura District Council has designated, so check before you stop.

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Frequently Asked Questions