This clifftop walk is the best way to understand Kaikoura without paying for a tour. It links sea cliffs, coves, old pa and whaling sites, seal haul-outs, and wide views back to the mountains.
The full loop takes about three hours, but shorter out-and-back walks from Point Kean work well if time is tight. Keep well away from seals; they look slow until they decide not to be.