Seals in Kaikōura: Point Kean, Ōhau Point and how to see kekeno safely

Meet the kekeno

The New Zealand fur seal, kekeno in Māori (Arctocephalus forsteri), is the country's most common seal. Hunted almost to extinction in the nineteenth century, it has made a remarkable comeback: the last full count, in 2001, estimated around 200,000, and DOC says numbers are still growing. It is classified as not threatened and is fully protected.

Fur seals have external ear flaps, a pointed nose with long whiskers, and a thick two-layered coat that looks dark brown when wet and grey-brown when dry. They can walk on all four flippers, which makes them surprisingly quick on rocks. At sea they are superb divers and often feed alongside dusky dolphins. On land they mostly sleep: a seal lying motionless on the rocks or the car park tarmac is resting, not sick, and should be left alone.

Kaikōura's seals are a year-round sight. Pups are born in early summer (around late November to January) on the rocky breeding sites; mothers then alternate feeding trips at sea with days ashore nursing, and weaned pups can turn up almost anywhere, including roadsides, drains and gardens.

Name

Kekeno, New Zealand fur seal (Arctocephalus forsteri)

Status

Not threatened; population growing (DOC)

When to see them

All year; pups from early summer

Safe distance

At least 20 m (DOC)

Point Kean: the seal colony on the peninsula

The easiest seals in New Zealand. At the end of the road around the Kaikōura Peninsula (Fyffe Quay), the Point Kean car park sits right beside the rocks, and on most days seals are lying around it, sometimes between the parked cars. DOC notes that it is mostly males around the car park, while females and pups use the rock platforms beyond. There are toilets and rubbish bins at the car park.

You can drive there, or walk the first section of the Kaikōura Peninsula Walkway from the town centre: 4.4 km, about 50 minutes each way along the Esplanade and the coast. From the car park, a 5-minute, 200-metre climb takes you up to the Point Kean viewpoint on the clifftop for the view down over the reefs, the colony and the Seaward Kaikōura Range. At low tide the wave-cut platforms below are exposed and you can see how the 2016 earthquake lifted parts of this coast out of the sea.

On the way, the Kaikōura Seafood BBQ food truck near the peninsula road is a popular stop for grilled crayfish; see our food guide.

A fur seal asleep across the path near Point Kean: on the peninsula, seals are often closer than you expect. Give them at least 20 metres and walk around.

Ōhau Point lookout: the colony beside State Highway 1

North of Kaikōura, where State Highway 1 squeezes between the mountains and the sea, Ōhau Point is home to one of the region's major fur seal breeding colonies. The 2016 earthquake destroyed the old breeding area and buried the road, but the seals quickly colonised new ground to the north and south of the slips and kept breeding. When the coast road was rebuilt, it gained a dedicated parking area and lookout directly above the colony; it reopened in October 2018.

From the lookout you look straight down on the rocks, where seals sleep, squabble and slide into the surf. In summer the newborn pups are a highlight; through autumn and winter the growing pups are at their most playful. The lookout is right beside a busy highway: use the parking area only, keep children close and do not cross onto the rocks.

Ōhau Point is on the drive between Kaikōura and Picton or Blenheim, so it combines naturally with a road trip; see getting there.

Fur seals on the rocks below the Ōhau Point lookout, right beside State Highway 1 north of Kaikōura.

The Ōhau Stream waterfall: what happened to the seal pup nursery

Before November 2016, one of New Zealand's best-loved wildlife sights was the short walk up the Ōhau Stream to a waterfall pool where, in winter, dozens of seal pups would play while their mothers fed at sea. The earthquake brought down the rock face above the stream and filled the pool with rocks.

The Department of Conservation lists the Ōhau Stream Walk as closed, unsafe because of earthquake damage, and in November 2026 it had not reopened. Do not climb the barriers or follow the stream bed; rockfall is a real hazard. The pups can still be watched from the Ōhau Point lookout instead, and DOC's track page will show any change.

A fur seal pup at Ōhau Point, north of Kaikōura.

Other places to see seals

• The Kaikōura Peninsula Walkway clifftop and shoreline routes: seals on the reefs below Whalers Bay and around South Bay. The shoreline route can be cut off by the tide or blocked by seals; if so, return by the cliff track.
• South Bay and the Kaikōura coast road south of town: seals haul out on the rocks beside the road; park only in safe pull-offs.
• From the boats: the whale-watching cruise and dolphin tours often pass seals on the reefs, and sea-kayak tours paddle close to them (at a respectful distance).

Fur seals basking on limestone rocks on the Kaikōura coast.

Seal swims and kayak tours

Snorkelling with seals is one of Kaikōura's most unusual experiences. Seal Swim Kaikoura runs guided snorkel trips of about 2.5 hours around the peninsula reefs, where young seals often come to investigate swimmers. Wetsuits and snorkelling gear are supplied (bring swimwear to wear underneath); you need to be reasonably fit and able to swim and snorkel, and the guides decide on the day whether sea and seal conditions are suitable. Tours run mainly in the warmer months; check the dates when you book.

Pedal kayaks (Seal Kayak Kaikoura) leave your hands free for the camera; sea-kayak tours paddle around the peninsula, including a sunset trip when the seals are active and the light is soft. In a kayak you are close to the water and very quiet, and seals and dolphins often come to you. DOC guidance for boats, kayaks included, is to stay at least 20 metres from the water's edge where seals may be present.

Seal swim

Snorkelling with New Zealand Fur Seals

2.5 h

Guided snorkel around the Kaikōura Peninsula reefs, where young fur seals come to investigate. Wetsuits and gear supplied; you need to be able to swim and snorkel.

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Seals

Seal-Watching Pedal Kayak Tour

See listing

Hands-free pedal kayaks around the peninsula for close, quiet views of fur seals on the rocks and in the water. Rated 4.9/5 on GetYourGuide (as of November 2026).

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Sunset

Kayak Sunset Tour with Seal Sightings

3 h

An evening paddle along the Kaikōura Peninsula as the light softens and the seals are active. Rated 4.9/5 on GetYourGuide (as of November 2026).

Check availabilityBook via GetYourGuide

Kayak

Half-Day Wildlife Kayaking Tour

3 h

Guided sea-kayak tour with Kaikoura Kayaks around the peninsula, looking for fur seals, dusky dolphins and seabirds. Rated 4.5/5 from 470 reviews on GetYourGuide (as of November 2026).

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Tour listings are on GetYourGuide. Prices, times and cancellation terms are shown live on each listing and can change; Kaikoura.com may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Seal etiquette: the short version

• Keep at least 20 metres away, on land and on the water.
• Never get between a seal and the sea; it is the seal's escape route.
• Do not touch, feed or try to move a seal, even a pup that seems alone. Mothers leave pups for days while they feed.
• Keep dogs on a lead and well away; dogs are banned from the Point Kean car park and the tidal platforms.
• Drones count as aircraft: they must stay more than 150 metres horizontally from marine mammals.
• A seal that is injured, entangled or being harassed: call 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468).