Entire home·Private host

Wakatu (wait a while) Cottage

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Exterior
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
3 bedrooms, free WiFi
Smart TV, fireplace, DVD player, books
Terrace/patio

Reviews

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

3 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 6

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Hot tub
  • Pet-friendly
  • Washer
  • Barbecue grill
  • Outdoor space

Explore the area

Map
South Bay, Kaikoura
  • Kaikoura Museum
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Kaikoura District Museum
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Kaikoura Beach
    ‪5 min drive‬
  • Kaikoura (KBZ)
    ‪6 min drive‬

Room options

Similar properties

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Wakatu (wait a while) Cottage

In the heart of South Bay - this is a great place to recharge the batteries.

This is a 'bring your own linen' house. There is no cleaner so pls be prepared to leave the house clean and tidy for the next people. Let us know if the property is clean tidy when you arrive thanks :)

One minute stroll down the reserve path adjacent to the harbour to see where the penguins are nesting or check out the fishing boats and whale/dolphin watching operations, potter round the rock pools or go for a swim.

Step out to the Peninsula walks, up to the views and back or take the challenge of the loop round the Peninsula to view seals close up, into town and back over the reserve walkway to South bay.

Launch your boat ahead of all the others first thing in the morning - parking inside for a 14' or plenty of room on the grass verge. Or snorkel at low tide - clean your catch in the sink/fish cleaning area round the back.

Safe for all aged children - property is fenced.

Penguins nest around the Coast Guard - if you have a dog, make sure its on leash in that area.

If you notice any damage, or things not working let us know by text email so we can get onto it.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS:
Smoking allowed outside only, please pick up buts.
Pets welcome too if sleep in their own beds/crates, own food bowls, please pick up any doggie doos, tx. back of property has a 6 ft fence.
Not suitable for tradesmen, or outdoor workers
Note Max 6. With one bathroom incl toilet property is too small for 8 people (I don't know how to change it to 6, sorry.

Warning.
Sleepout is colder than main house in winter,
Shower is over a bathtub. May be difficult for older people.
During your stay at this vacation home, you'll be close to Fyffe House. Features include a hot tub. The vacation home includes amenities such as free WiFi and a kitchen.
  • The vacation home offers a kitchen, a washing machine, and a fireplace
  • Free WiFi
  • Onsite recreation includes a playground
  • Just a 4-minute drive from Kaikoura Golf Club and a few minutes from Kaikoura Museum
This vacation home offers its guests a hot tub, barbecue grills, and a garden. The front desk is open around the clock.

Property manager

Sally Grimmett

Languages

English

Property amenities

Beach

  • On the beach

Pool/Spa

  • A hot tub

Internet

  • Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • On-site parking options include a garage
  • On-site parking
  • Car required

Kitchen

  • Fridge
  • Stovetop
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Spices
  • Coffee grinder
  • Paper towels
  • Lobster/crab pot
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 3 bedrooms

Bathrooms

  • 1 bathroom
  • Bath or shower
  • Soap
  • Hairdryer

Living spaces

  • Fireplace
  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Smart TV with cable/satellite service
  • DVD player
  • Games
  • Video library
  • Books

Outdoor areas

  • Patio
  • Fenced garden
  • Barbecue
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture

Laundry

  • Washing machine and dryer
  • Near a laundromat

Comfort

  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly
  • 2 total pets
  • Welcoming dogs only

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Location highlights

  • Near the sea
  • Near a hospital
  • In a village

Things to do

  • Fitness facilities nearby
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Cycling nearby
  • Whale watching nearby
  • Mountain biking nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Snorkelling nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Horse riding nearby
  • Ecotours nearby

Safety features

  • No carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated that there is no carbon monoxide detector or gas appliances on the property)
  • Smoke detector installed (host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • First aid kit

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Contactless check-in available

Check-out

Check-out before 3:00 PM
Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

  • Pets are welcome
  • Only dogs are allowed
  • Maximum 2 pets
  • Restrictions apply
  • For more information, you can reach out to the property at the number on the booking confirmation
  • Service animals are exempt from fees
  • Note from host: Own sleeping mat, feed bowl pick up doggy doos pls

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Note from host: Fenced property

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there are no carbon monoxide detectors or gas appliances on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a first aid kit
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions. You will also receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account which will enable you to manage your booking.

We should mention

  • To make arrangements for your pet, contact the property directly using the information on your booking confirmation.

Property is also known as

Wakatu Cottage South Bay
Wakatu Cottage House
Wakatu Cottage House South Bay
Wakatu Kaikoura
Wakatu Cottage Kaikoura
Wakatu Cottage Private vacation home Kaikoura
Wakatu Cottage Private vacation home
Wakatu Cottage
Wakatu Wait A While Kaikoura
Wakatu (wait a while) Cottage Kaikoura
Wakatu (wait a while) Cottage Private vacation home
Wakatu (wait a while) Cottage Private vacation home Kaikoura

Wakatu (wait a while) Cottage Reviews

Reviews

9.4

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 159 out of 232 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 59 out of 232 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 11 out of 232 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 2 out of 232 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 232 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Mani D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great stay
It was a great stay thanks so much
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Cornelia S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful location
Beautiful place with a nice garden, very close to the beach and the coastal track. We enjoyed a wonderful weekend and will be back.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness
Great stay
Very cozy will be back!
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

elizabeth w.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great vacation
Wonderful location great weather. Just loved kaikoura.
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jacqui T.

Liked: Cleanliness
Lovely bach in a beautiful location
We had a great stay, it’s a really nice house with comfy beds and a nice outdoor area. Very clean and tidy. South Bay is a beautiful spot and the house is close to the wharf and beach. Sally is great to deal with, check in was really easy.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Helen D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Kaikoura
Great 70-80s bach. Would stay again.
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

angus M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Another great stay!
Three years in a row we have stayed at Wakatu cottage and we absolutly love it. Great location and a fantastic kiwi bach!
Stayed 8 nights in Jan 2025

8/10 Good

Jack H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Nice wee batch
Good place to stay nice and cozy
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Helen C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Sweet cottage in peaceful South Bay
My friend and I booked the Albatross Encounter Tour in Kaikoura, and we stayed with our pooches at this comfortable bach for a long weekend. South Bay is quieter than the main township itself and is close to the boat ramp and the southern end of the Peninsula Walk. The bach was a great place to cook, relax on the verandas and hang out. Thank you for our stay, Sally.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Christa R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Weekend getaway
Amazing spot with beautiful views and close to everything. Highly recommend!
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Julie B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great location and comfortably cottage
A perfect location in South Bay.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024

8/10 Good

Geoff F.

Liked: Cleanliness
great
we all loved it will book again
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

aleshia g.

Liked: Cleanliness
Incredible kiwi bach
Absolutely loved our stay here, it was such the perfect space for the whole family, loved the kiwiana feel you could tell this is a much loved family bach
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Robin G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Family crib in South Bay
Our second stay at this cottage and enjoyed it again- a much-loved old-style crib, with fully fenced section that is great for the dog and nice view of the mountains from the back deck. Well set up and comfortable. Lovely hosts.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2024

8/10 Good

Linda L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Pet friendly appreciated
Basic wee cottage with everything you need for a get away. Yard was great for our wee dog and handy to plenty of walking spots.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Debbie & Mathew C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Whakatu
Nice house that was cozy and warm. Great for a quick get away. Thanks 😊
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

David R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Kaikoura gem
Had a lovely time was really lovely stay 2 mins to the beach. Was very clean . Will stay again
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tanya E.

Liked: Cleanliness
Sunny place
Great stay
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Charles K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great little batch
Amazing little batch. Couldn’t fault it. Great communication throughout and great detail in how to open up and get the hot water etc sorted. Would definitely stay again 10/10
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Nicola C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great location and lovely bach feel
The house was clean and tidy and was as described in the booking. A classic family bach a stones throw from the beach and boat ramp. Great to be able to take our dogs also
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Stephen M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great place and location
Stayed for a month and it became home for us. Great location for all activities in the south bay/kaikoura area and the house has everything you need in a comfortable, clean condition. We didn have any issues but im sure the owner would deal with any promptly.
Stayed 28 nights in Apr 2024

8/10 Good

Janet D., Porirua

Liked: Cleanliness
Comfy cottage in quiet spot
Like the bach feel of this place with all amenities. Close to the Walkway and the beach. Beds comfortable and kitchen well equipped.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Shane F.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great place to relax
Very happy with the accommodation it had everything we needed and very close to the main part of Kaikoura. Quite and relaxing with lovely scenery. Would definitely stay there again.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Les G.

Liked: Cleanliness
South bay house
Awesome house great location quiet and warm
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tessa G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Enjoyable stay
Lovely relaxed stay with our kids and dog. Ideal location near beach, walking track and playground!
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024