Buy fresh crayfish from the roadside caravans on the highway north of town

Go whale watching with Whale Watch Kaikoura (3-3.5 hour tour, from $150 NZD; sperm whales visible year-round)

Kayak with seals through Seal Kayak Kaikoura or Kaikoura Kayaks

Stargaze at night — minimal light pollution along the coast

Hike the Mt Fyffe Track for panoramic mountain-to-sea views