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From Auckland · 12 hours · Lunch included
Cathedral Cove Tour
Expedigo NZ's day from central Auckland to Hot Water Beach, Hahei Beach and Cathedral Cove, with a picnic lunch and pickup from 19 Auckland hotels. Hot Water Beach depends on the tide, and the order of the stops can change on the day to match it.
Pick your trip
A Day from Auckland, a Boat or a Kayak?
A Cathedral Cove tour takes you to the sea arch and beach of Cathedral Cove, Mautohe, on the Coromandel Peninsula: as a day from Auckland, or by boat or kayak from Whitianga or Hahei. Without a car, book Expedigo NZ’s Cathedral Cove & Hot Water Beach with Lunch from Auckland, from US$141 a person (checked November 2026): 12 hours with hotel pickup, lunch, Hot Water Beach and the cove. Already on the Coromandel? The 2-hour boat from Whitianga shows the cove from the water, with no walk at all.
Whitianga: 2-Hour Cathedral Cove and Volcanic Coast Tour
Ocean Leopard - Cathedral Cove Boat Tours: 2 hours along about 12 km of coast to the cove, with the skipper's commentary and an onboard toilet. Seen from the water. Food and drinks not included.
See the cruise →Cathedral Cove & Hot Water Beach with Lunch from Auckland
Expedigo NZ: pickup at 19 Auckland hotels, Hot Water Beach when the tide allows, Hahei Beach, a picnic lunch and Cathedral Cove, where the walk down is optional. 12 hours.
Check dates →Cathedral Cove Kayak Tour
Cathedral Cove Kayak Tours: 3 hours of guided paddling from Hahei Beach in small groups, with a landing at the cove and hot drinks and cookies.
See the kayak tour →Prices, ratings and review counts from the listings (GetYourGuide checked November 2026; Viator, checked November 2026). Operators price by date and season, so treat the figures as the shape of the market, not a quote.
Choosing between the day trip, a boat and the kayak? The comparison below sets four side by side, and boat, kayak or walk goes further.
- 4.8 / 5 204+ Reviews
- 175 km By road from central Auckland to the Hahei Visitor Car Park, the nearest parking to the Cathedral Cove walk
- Since 1992 Te Whanganui-o-Hei Marine Reserve around Cathedral Cove (Department of Conservation)
- Free Cancellation
The Experience
What the Day Includes
A hot-water beach where you dig your own pool, the village beach at Hahei, and the arch at Cathedral Cove.
Expedigo NZ's own highlights, inclusions and notes, as listed on GetYourGuide in November 2026.
Highlights
- Enjoy a scenic drive through lush Waikato farmlands with stunning coastal views
- Stroll through Hahei Village with crystal-clear waters and seaside charm
- Enjoy a picnic lunch in a picturesque coastal setting
- Visit Cathedral Cove, a breathtaking beach framed by a dramatic natural archway
What's Included
- Convenient pick-up and drop-off from Auckland CBD
- Fully guided return transfers from Auckland as part of a small group
- Visit to the Hot Water Beach and dig your own natural spa pool in the sand ( tide dependent)
- Visit the iconic Cathedral Cove and take in its breathtaking coastal scenery
- Picnic style lunch - (Chicken Wrap, Muffin, Fruit, Chips and Juice included - Please advise of dietary restrictions 3 days prior to your tour date)
- Light refreshments on board
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- All fees and taxes
- Accompanied by a friendly local English-speaking tour escort
Good to know: The tour involves a considerable amount of walking if you choose to do the walk to the cove (medium level of fitness recommended) · Not suitable for: Wheelchair users · Not Included: Towels, Swimwear, Accommodation, Breakfast, Dinner
From Auckland to the Coromandel and Back
A hotel pickup, the drive through the Waikato, three beaches and a picnic lunch, and the drive back. The tide at Hot Water Beach sets the order on the day.
Pickup in Central Auckland
Expedigo NZ collects you from one of 19 Auckland hotels, and drives out through the Waikato farmland to the Coromandel Peninsula in an air-conditioned vehicle.
Hot Water Beach
About 2 hours at Hot Water Beach, where you dig your own pool in the warm sand. It depends on the tide, so the order of the day can change to match the low tide.
Hahei and a Picnic Lunch
About 30 minutes at Hahei Beach and a picnic lunch: a chicken wrap, a muffin, fruit, chips and juice, with other diets catered if you say so 3 days ahead.
Cathedral Cove and Back
Time at Cathedral Cove, where the walk down is up to you (medium fitness), then the drive back to Auckland. 12 hours in all. If weather closes the cove, you are offered a full refund.
Photo Gallery
Beaches, Cliffs and the Arch
White cliffs and sea stacks around Cathedral Cove, the sand at Hot Water Beach and the bay at Hahei.
Book Your Experience
Check Availability & Prices
Expedigo NZ's 12-hour day from central Auckland: Hot Water Beach, Hahei Beach and Cathedral Cove with a picnic lunch, pickup from 19 Auckland hotels, and the order of the stops set by the tide. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
Plan Your Cathedral Cove Day
Planning a Cathedral Cove Trip
Whether the walk is open, how to get there and where to park, the day from Auckland, boat or kayak or walk, swimming, and the tides at Hot Water Beach.
Prices are each page's featured tour: GetYourGuide checked November 2026. Tour prices on GetYourGuide and Viator are in US dollars; fees paid in New Zealand are in New Zealand dollars (NZ$).
Four Ways to Cathedral Cove, Side by Side
A day from Auckland, the boat from Whitianga, the kayak from Hahei and a second day trip: time, where each starts, how you see the cove, what is included and the limits. GetYourGuide and Viator prices with the month they were checked.
| Feature | THIS PAGE Day trip from Auckland | Boat from Whitianga | Kayak from Hahei | Second day from Auckland |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What You Pay | From US$141 per person (checked November 2026) | From US$83 per person (checked November 2026) | From US$108 per person (checked November 2026) | From US$144 per person (one of the two tide-set options on sale on each date we read; checked November 2026) |
| Time | 12 hours from Auckland | 2 hours on the water | 3 hours | 12 hours from Auckland |
| Where It Starts | Pickup at 19 Auckland hotels | Whitianga Wharf; arrive 15 minutes before | The kayaks on Hahei Beach; arrive 15 minutes before | Pickup at 27 Auckland hotels |
| How You See the Cove | On foot, if you choose the walk down (medium fitness) | From the water, on a cruise along about 12 km of coast | By kayak, landing on the beach at the cove | On foot: about 40 minutes each way, steep slopes and stairs |
| Also | Hot Water Beach (tide dependent) and Hahei Beach | Lonely Bay, Hahei, and the Orua Sea Cave when the sea allows | Hot chocolates, cappuccinos and cookies | Hot Water Beach or other beaches, by the tide on the day |
| In the Price | Pickup, picnic lunch, light refreshments, all fees and taxes | The cruise and commentary; no food or drinks | Guide, kayak and refreshments | Pickup, lunch at a Hahei café, water and snacks, spades |
| Limits | Not for wheelchair users; bring a towel and swimwear | Onboard toilet not suitable for limited mobility | Not stated | Not for people with low fitness or mobility impairments |
| Best For | No car, and the cove plus Hot Water Beach in one day | Seeing the cove and coast without the walk | Paddling in and stepping onto the beach | No car, and a café lunch in Hahei |
| Check dates | See the cruise | See the kayak tour | See the day |
More Ways to Go
Other Cathedral Cove Tours
A sailing trip, a glass-bottom boat, the Hahei boat, a snorkel cruise and a coast cruise with caves, on GetYourGuide and Viator.
FROM AUCKLANDAuckland: Cathedral Cove & Hot Water Beach Small-Group Tour
Cheeky Kiwi Travel's 12-hour small-group day from Auckland with pickup at 27 hotels, lunch at a Hahei café and snacks. Two options on dates set by the tide: Hot Water Beach with spades, or other beaches and viewpoints instead. The walk to Cathedral Cove is about 40 minutes each way, with steep slopes and stairs; if the track is closed, the guide arranges an alternative.
SAIL AND SNORKELWhitianga: Experience Cathedral Cove; Sail, swim & snorkel
Boom Sailing's 3.5-hour trip on a sailing catamaran from Flaxmill Bay: past Cathedral Cove and the islands of Mercury Bay, then an optional swim or snorkel in the marine reserve when conditions are good, with snorkel gear and a drink and snack included. Morning sail 9:15 AM, afternoon 1:45 PM (11:00 AM in April). Not for people over 100 kg.
GLASS BOTTOMGlass Bottom Boat Whitianga Cathedral Cove Cruise
Glass Bottom Boat Whitianga's 2-hour cruise from Whitianga Wharf to Cathedral Cove, with glass panels in the hull for watching the marine life without getting wet. Meet at the wharf, across the road from 13 Esplanade, 15 minutes before.
FROM HAHEI BEACHCathedral Cove Boat Tour in Hahei
Hahei Explorer Cathedral Cove Boat Tour's 1-hour trip from the southern end of Hahei Beach along 14 km of coast, into sea caves and past the islands of the marine reserve, with Cathedral Cove about 5 minutes away by boat. Life jackets and dry bags provided. Check in 20 minutes before.
CAVES AND SNORKELWhitianga: Cathedral Cove Cruise, Caves & Snorkelling
Cave Cruzer Boat Tours' 2-hour open-topped boat trip from Whitianga Wharf: Cathedral Cove, Orua Sea Cave and the caves and blowholes of Mercury Bay, with snorkelling at Gemstone Bay and rock jumping as options when the sea allows (full refund if there is no snorkel). Snorkel gear and life jackets included. No lap sitting; not for wheelchair users.
CATAMARANCathedral Cove Coast and Cave Activity
Mercury Bay Discoveries' 2.5-hour catamaran trip from Whitianga to Cathedral Cove and the marine reserve, with snorkelling equipment, a restroom and changing room, and a warm fresh-water shower on board; tea and coffee to buy. Meet 20 minutes before by the orange flag opposite 1 Esplanade.
Cathedral Cove tours
The Cove, the Ways In and What You Pay
Where the cove is, the walk and the shuttle, the day from Auckland stop by stop, what the price covers, the boats and the kayak, and what reviewers say.
Where the cove is
Cathedral Cove is a beach on the east coast of the Coromandel Peninsula, inside Te Whanganui-o-Hei Marine Reserve, set up in 1992 (Department of Conservation). A walking track runs to it from Hahei village, and boats and kayaks reach it from Hahei Beach and from Whitianga across Mercury Bay. Hot Water Beach, where people dig pools in warm sand, is 6.8 km by road from the Hahei Visitor Car Park, and central Auckland 175 km.
The walk, the shuttle and the boats
On the Department of Conservation’s page, read on 8 November 2026, the walk was open for walking access. The page carries no date. DOC closes the cove after heavy rain, and when NIWA issues an orange or red weather warning for Hahei the track closes and the shuttles stop. Is Cathedral Cove open? has the dated history and what to do when it is shut.
You cannot park at the track. The Grange Road car park at its start is for drop-off and pick-up only; the Hahei Visitor Car Park at the village entrance is free, and from there you walk or ride the shuttle, NZ$8 return for adults (Cathedral Cove Park & Ride’s page, checked November 2026). The walk is about 1 hour 30 minutes return, 5 km (DOC). How to get to Cathedral Cove covers the parking and the shuttle.
By sea there is no walk at all: the boats leave from Whitianga and Hahei Beach, and the kayaks from Hahei Beach.
The day from Auckland, stop by stop
Expedigo NZ’s day collects you from one of 19 Auckland hotels and drives out through the Waikato farmland to the Coromandel. The itinerary gives about 2 hours at Hot Water Beach, where you dig your own pool in the warm sand, 30 minutes at Hahei Beach and time at Cathedral Cove, where the walk down is your choice and needs a medium level of fitness. The order can change on the day to meet the low tide at Hot Water Beach. Lunch is a picnic: a chicken wrap, a muffin, fruit, chips and juice, with vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal lunches if you ask 3 days ahead.
The whole day takes 12 hours. Bring a towel, swimwear, a sun hat and sunscreen; towels and swimwear are not provided. The day is not for wheelchair users. If weather stops you reaching the cove, you are offered a full refund, even if other stops are arranged.
Check dates for the day from Auckland
What the price buys
The booking calendar shows a from-price of US$141 a person (checked November 2026). On the dates we read, 20 January and 10 March 2027, the day cost US$141.49 a person, and two adults paid twice the one-adult price. It covers the pickup and drop-off, the guided transfers, lunch, light refreshments on board, and all fees and taxes. You can reserve now, pay later and cancel free up to 24 hours before.
Cheeky Kiwi Travel's day from Auckland is from US$144; it includes lunch at a Hahei café and spades for Hot Water Beach. Cathedral Cove from Auckland compares the two days.
From the water
From Whitianga, Ocean Leopard - Cathedral Cove Boat Tours runs a 2-hour cruise along about 12 km of coast to the cove, from US$83 (checked November 2026). Glass Bottom Boat Whitianga takes 2 hours, with glass panels to watch the fish, from US$77. From Hahei Beach, Hahei Explorer Cathedral Cove Boat Tour takes an hour, from US$71, and Cathedral Cove Kayak Tours paddles there in 3 hours and lands on the beach, from US$108 (checked November 2026). Boat, kayak or walk sets them side by side.
What reviewers mention
Expedigo NZ’s day has 204 reviews on GetYourGuide at an average of 4.8, the oldest from August 2025 and the newest dated 7 November 2026: 178 give five stars and 7 give three or fewer. Two of the low ratings carry a comment: a traveller who missed the tour when it left earlier than the confirmed time while they were offline, and a very wet day that was “not as what we expected”. Among the higher ratings, one reviewer met crowds at Hot Water Beach and the cove on a holiday weekend, and another found the wind took the edge off the day.
Before you book
- Tides. Hot Water Beach works for about two hours either side of low tide (Tourism New Zealand); the day tours plan around it. Tides and Hot Water Beach explains.
- Weather. Read MetService before you go and the Department of Conservation’s Cathedral Cove page on the day.
- Fitness. The walk has a long uphill section and steps; the boats and the kayak avoid it.
- Cancelling. Every GetYourGuide tour here can be cancelled free up to 24 hours before, and you can reserve now and pay later.
Three Beaches and Lunch, Back in Auckland
Expedigo NZ's 12-hour day from central Auckland: Hot Water Beach, Hahei Beach and Cathedral Cove, a picnic lunch, and the order set by the tide on the day. Starting from US$141 per person.
Check datesMore on the Coromandel
Coromandel and Auckland Tours with Open Dates
Other trips in the area with live availability. The start point, what is included and the cancellation terms show before you book.
Cathedral Cove Tours: Questions
Which tour, whether the walk is open, driving and parking, the day from Auckland, boats and kayaks, swimming, tides and Hot Water Beach.
Without a car, Expedigo NZ's Cathedral Cove & Hot Water Beach with Lunch from Auckland, from US$141 a person (checked November 2026): 12 hours with pickup, lunch, Hot Water Beach, Hahei Beach and the cove. If you are already on the Coromandel, Ocean Leopard - Cathedral Cove Boat Tours' 2-hour cruise from Whitianga is from US$83 and shows the cove from the water. To land on the beach by kayak, Cathedral Cove Kayak Tours' 3-hour trip from Hahei is from US$108 (checked November 2026).
When we read the Department of Conservation's page on 8 November 2026, the walk was open for walking access. The page carries no date, and DOC closes the cove after heavy rain and when an orange or red weather warning is issued for Hahei. Read DOC's page on the day. See is Cathedral Cove open.
Not to the track itself. The car park on Grange Road at the start of the walk is drop-off and pick-up only. Park at the free Hahei Visitor Car Park at the village entrance and walk or take the shuttle, or pay to park at the Cathedral Cove Gateway Trail car park, 150 Lees Road (Department of Conservation and Thames-Coromandel District Council, checked November 2026). See how to get to Cathedral Cove.
About 1 hour 30 minutes return, 5 km, on the Department of Conservation's figures (checked November 2026). Allow about 30 minutes from the Hahei Visitor Car Park to the start of the track, with a long uphill section. Cheeky Kiwi Travel's day tour allows about 40 minutes each way on a track with steep slopes and stairs.
NZ$8 return for adults, children 14 and under free, from the Hahei Visitor Car Park (Cathedral Cove Park & Ride's page, checked November 2026). The page is undated, so check the fare on the day. The shuttle does not run when NIWA issues an orange or red weather warning for Hahei (Department of Conservation, checked November 2026).
Yes, from Whitianga or Hahei. Ocean Leopard - Cathedral Cove Boat Tours runs 2 hours from Whitianga Wharf, from US$83 (checked November 2026); Hahei Explorer Cathedral Cove Boat Tour takes 1 hour from Hahei Beach, from US$71 (checked November 2026). Both show the cove from the water. See boat, kayak or walk.
Yes: the Department of Conservation lists swimming and snorkelling among the things to do in the marine reserve. There are no boat lanes separating boats, jet skis and kayaks from swimmers, and at high tide the beach can be cut off from the track. Boom Sailing's trip includes an optional swim or snorkel, from US$92 (checked November 2026). See swimming at Cathedral Cove.
Two hours either side of low tide, says Tourism New Zealand. That is when the sand with the hot water under it is uncovered, at the rocks at the southern end of the beach. We print no tide times; LINZ publishes the tide predictions for Whitianga, the nearest port it covers. See tides and Hot Water Beach.
Yes: Hahei is 175 km by road from central Auckland, and the day tours take 12 hours. Expedigo NZ's day is from US$141 and Cheeky Kiwi Travel's from US$144 (checked November 2026); both include lunch and Hot Water Beach when the tide allows. See Cathedral Cove from Auckland.
No. In November 2026 the Department of Conservation listed Mautohe / Cathedral Cove among four places where it is investigating access charges for international visitors; a law must pass first, DOC expects regulations in time for summer 2027/28, a timeframe it says may change, and no amount has been set. Parking at the Gateway Trail car park and the shuttle cost money; the Hahei Visitor Car Park is free.
Still have questions? Email us at info@cathedralcovetour.com