YHA Kaikoura, Maui
Come to YHA Kaikoura Maui where you can breathe the scent of the South Pacific Ocean and view the majestic Kaikoura mountain ranges through our ever-changing dining room ‘living picture’ windows. Our beach front hostel is extra special as we are the only backpackers in Kaikoura that has a straight on view of the Kaikoura mountains across the South Pacific Ocean.
Backpacker accommodation at this Kaikoura hostel includes doubles, twins and small multi-share rooms, so there are less people in your room space. YHA Kaikoura Maui has excellent communal facilities including a lounge and dining room (both with that amazing view) and a well-equipped kitchen for cooking up locally caught crayfish! From the hostel there are a number of Kaikoura attractions within walking distance, including the seal colony, local Maori pa sites and the walkway up to the excellent Kaikoura lookout where you can try and spot a whale or two!
The YHA Kaikoura Maui backpackers is known for its laid-back atmosphere and we encourage our guests to relax in our courtyard/pergola BBQ area or watch movies in our cosy lounge room. The Kaikoura hostel staff will give you lots of advice for your travels around Kaikoura and New Zealand and all with a smile!
"YHA Kaikoura Maui is a comfortable, well-run hostel with tremendous sea and mountain views, particularly from the lounge and kitchen, and well-Informed, knowledgeable staff." – The Rough Guide to New Zealand.
Special features of YHA Kaikoura that backpackers love:
- Fantastic view over the Pacific Ocean to the magnificent Kaikoura mountain ranges. (No extra charge for this million dollar view!)
- Small multi-share rooms for a comfortable backpacking experience in Kaikoura.
- An in-hostel shop with a variety of foods and drinks to purchase.
- The great atmosphere at YHA Kaikoura Maui, the feeling of not having to do anything but enjoy yourselves.
- Bike hire, a great way to get around this small South Island town.
About Kaikoura
Prepare yourself for the delights of Kaikoura and some unique marine experiences. Just off the Kaikoura coast the ocean bed drops away to 1000 metres deep which brings in thousands of whales, dolphins and seals close to the Kaikoura Peninsula every year. Take a whale watching boat ride to see the sperm whale, go swimming with the Dusky dolphins or snorkelling with the seals! Make sure you stay at the YHA Kaikoura hostel for more than a day because due to sea conditions sometimes the whale watching trips are cancelled for the day - you wouldn’t want to miss out.
There are activities galore to try while in Kaikoura: scuba diving, kayaking (day or night), fishing tours, surfing, winery visits, a Maori Culture Tour, horse trekking, mountain biking or browsing the varied Kaikoura arts ‘n’ crafts scene. Take to the skies and learn to fly a plane or take in an evening tour and learn about the astronomical highlights of the Southern Hemisphere. Before the days of eco-friendly whale watching, the whales in Kaikoura used to be hunted and the history of whaling in Kaikoura can be seen at the fascinating Fyffe House, near the Kaikoura Maui hostel. Near the seal colony, the Kaikoura Peninsula walkway begins, leading to a lookout over Kaikoura town, the Ocean and the mountains. In winter the magnificent Kaikoura Ranges look stunning over the Pacific Ocean and Mount Lyford ski field is a short drive away.
Kaikoura means eat (kai) crayfish (koura) in Maori and this delicacy must be sampled while staying here. Despite the popularity of the whale watching in Kaikoura, it still feels like a small New Zealand town, with friendly locals and lots of great nature walks. And if you really want to remember your trip to Kaikoura forever then book a tattoo with Greg Ashwell the world renowned Tattooist!
Top activities to do while backpacking in Kaikoura
- Many unique marine experiences can be had in Kaikoura: take a whale watching trip with Whalewatch Kaikoura, go swimming with the Dusky dolphins or snorkelling with the seals.
- For an unusual and memorable experience, go sea-kayaking at night to view the Southern ‘night sky’ from the Pacific Ocean.
- Walk the Kaikoura Peninsula track, taking in the seal colony, Maori pa site and wonderful 360 degree views over Kaikoura town, the mountains and the South Pacific Ocean.
- Eat some of the delicious local crayfish at one of the many Kaikoura restaurants.
- Get cultural on the Kaikoura Maori Tour, at Fyffe House and the art galleries or get active on a mountain bike, surfboard, horse or kayak.
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Travel Tales
Swimming with dolphins