Water activity

Whitianga: Cathedral Cove 2 Hour Boat Cruise

4.8 / 5

166 reviews

Activity provider: Ocean Leopard Tours
    Add to wishlist
    Water activity

    Whitianga: Cathedral Cove 2 Hour Boat Cruise

    Activity provider: Ocean Leopard Tours

    4.8

    166 reviews

    Likely to sell out

    From US$ 75.03 per person

    Likely to sell out

    Explore 12 km of rugged volcanic coastline in Mercury Bay, visiting nearby islands and stunning beaches including Lonely Bay, Cooks Beach, and the spectacular Cathedral Cove. Admire the bay’s towering pinnacles, giant blowholes, and huge sea caves.

    About this activity

    Free cancellation
    Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
    Reserve now & pay later
    Keep your travel plans flexible — book your spot and pay nothing today.
    Duration 2 hours
    Check availability to see starting times.
    Live tour guide
    English

    Experience

    Highlights
    • Cruise to the world-famous Cathedral Cove
    • Listen to entertaining live commentary from your local guide
    • Explore the coastline and see giant blowholes, pinnacles and huge sea caves
    • Keep a lookout for dolphins, whales or orcas
    Full description
    Based in Whitianga, this scenic boat cruise showcases Mercury Bay’s stunning coastal paradise at its very best. Embark on a 2-hour journey across the rugged volcanic shores of the bay and explore its beautiful beaches including Hahei and Lonely Bay. The highlight of the tour is the world-famous Cathedral Cove at Te Whanganui a Hei Marine Reserve. The site has a rich Maori heritage, attracts around 150,000 visitors per year, and was used as a filming location for the blockbuster movie Narnia. Sit back and relax as you sail around the bay, and marvel at its stunning natural landscapes that stretch across the peninsula. Along the way, listen to your guide share entertaining live commentary about the bay and the wildlife that lives here. Make sure to keep an eye on the water too, as there's always a chance to see dolphins, whales and orcas in their natural habitat.
    Includes
    • 2-hour scenic cruise
    • Cathedral Cove viewing
    • Food and drinks
    • Hotel pickup and drop-off

    Select participants and date

    Participants

    Date

    Meeting point

    All tours depart from the Whitianga Wharf, Esplanade - 14 Esplanade, Whitianga 3510, New Zealand - Be sure to arrive 15 minutes prior to departure.

    Open in Google Maps ⟶
    Important information

    What to bring

    • Comfortable shoes
    • Sunglasses
    • Towel
    • Jacket

    Know before you go

    • Make sure you bring refreshments, a warm jacket, camera/binoculars, sunhat and sunscreen
    • Be sure to arrive 15 minutes prior to departure
    • If you plan on swimming or snorkelling wear your swimwear under your clothing and bring a towel
    • To give you maximum time in the water we discourage the use of wetsuits
    Customer reviews

    Overall rating

    4.8 /5

    based on 166 reviews

    Review summary

    • Guide
      4.9/5
    • Transportation
      4.9/5
    • Service
      5/5
    • Organization
      5/5

    Sort by:

    Traveler type:

    Star rating:

    We got to see a lot of the distinctive features of this coastline in the boat. Cathedral Cove was beautiful but also loved the sea caves and different cliff formations. Guide was very knowledgeable and had a good sense of humour. Also learnt some of the local history and Captain Cook connection which I didn’t know. Too cold to snorkel but I’m sure that would be a bonus in summer.

    Read more

    March 24, 2023

    G
    GetYourGuide traveler – Australia Verified booking

    Helpful?

    This was a fantastic introduction to the beauty of Mercury Bay. The skipper, Justin, is very knowledgeable and Avery competent operator. The boat is a very dry hull and I can thoroughly recommend this trip to anyone. It was a great trip and an event my wife and I will talk about for years to come.

    March 24, 2023

    G
    GetYourGuide traveler – Australia Verified booking

    Helpful?

    Such a great trip, we had fun zipping across the bay in the boat and our skipper did a good job of keeping us dry and was really informative and friendly. He stopped often for photo opportunities and made the right call to shorten the trip due to bad weather. Highly recommended!

    March 24, 2023

    G
    GetYourGuide traveler Verified booking

    Helpful?

    Product ID: 243857

    Things to Do in Whitianga

    Cities in New Zealand

    Top Experiences in Whitianga

    Top destinations

    Popular on GetYourGuide

    Popular Attractions