Category: Blog

25 March 202625 March 2026Blog, Boating & Fishing, Kids & Family, Tours & Experiences

Best boat tours in Whitianga

Whitianga boat tours: exploring Cathedral Cove and the wider Mercury Bay

If you’re looking for the best way to experience the Coromandel Peninsula, getting out on the water is an absolute must. Boat tours from Whitianga, Hahei and Tairua are easily some of the best ways to see the spectacular Mercury Bay coastline and iconic locations like Mautohe Cathedral Cove, Orua Sea Cave, blowholes and more.

Walking distance to the water

Many of the top-rated boat tours and scenic cruises depart from the Whitianga Wharf, which is a flat, 5-minute walk from our holiday homes, Sybil’s Place and The Publican’s. When you stay with us, it’s incredibly easy to head out for a morning adventure and be back at the bach by the afternoon. There are also a handful of tours that depart from Hahei and Tairua, both under a 1-hour drive away.

What you can expect

Along with local knowledge and stories, tours allow you to get a closer experience you just can’t get from land. See schools of fish, seabirds, little blue penguins, and if you’re lucky – marine mammals including dolphins, seals, and whales. With many tours offering swimming and snorkelling opportunities, it’s also the best way to explore the Te Whanganui-o-Hei Marine Reserve and see the thriving marine environment up close.

Boat tours across the Coromandel offer something for everyone – whether you’re after a high-speed cave adventure, family-friendly cruises or sunset sails, here’s a guide to the different tour options to help you plan a perfect day on the water.

Departing from Whitianga

Just a 5-minute walk away from Sybil’s Place and The Publican’s holiday homes. These tours typically take 2+ hours.

Mercury Bay Discoveries: A 2.5-hour scenic catamaran cruise that covers much of the Mercury Bay coastline, Cathedral Cove, and the surrounding marine reserve with snorkelling and swimming opportunities. Departs from Whitianga Marina and one of the only boats suitable for mobility access.
Glass Bottom Boat: A 2-hour tour perfect for families and people of all ages. Experience Cathedral Cove and observe the marine reserve’s fish and reefs without getting wet! Large glass floor panels give you a clear view of the marine life below. They also offer a swim and snorkel stop if you do want to jump in. Departs from Whitianga Wharf.
Sea Cave Adventures: A 2-3 hour tour covering over 25km of volcanic coastline. Their custom built vessel takes you closer, inside the many of the bay’s volcanic sea caves and blowholes. Visit iconic locations like Cathedral Cove and Orua Sea Cave, or take the coast less traveled and experience the picturesque Waitaia coastline and Mercury Islands group. Departs from Whitianga Wharf.
Ocean Leopard Tours: A 2-hour small group scenic tour on a fast vessel with comfortable seating and shade. Their tour covers 12km of rugged coastline, highlights including Shakespeare’s Cliff, Lonely Bay, Cooks Beach, Cathedral Cove, Hahei, Orua Sea Cave and blowholes. Departs from Whitianga Wharf.
Cathedral Cove Scenic Cruises: A 2-hour tour visiting iconic locations Cathedral Cove, Orua Sea Cave and the many bays and formations in between. They also include high-quality gear if you want to take a dip or snorkel in the Te Whanganui-o-Hei marine reserve.

Sailing tours in Mercury Bay

If you’re looking for a different pace, sailing options include:

Windborne Sailing Charters: Step aboard a piece of maritime history. Windborne is a stunning 1928 wooden schooner that offers a slow-paced, authentic sailing experience. You’re welcome to help hoist the sails or just relax on the timber decks. Walk the plank and dive into the turquoise waters. Choose from their day trips sailing Mercury Bay (6 hrs) or out to Great Mercury Island (10 hrs), or a sunset cruise to end the day (2.5 hrs).
Boom Sailing: A modern yellow catamaran departs from Flaxmill Bay (a quick ferry ride from Whitianga + 15 minute walk). Their 3.5 hour tours are a relaxed way to see Cathedral Cove from the water, with plenty of time to lounge on beanbags on the spacious trampoline decks. Once anchored, you can swim or snorkel in the Te Whanganui-o-Hei marine reserve among the thriving marine life.

Departing from Hahei

A 35-minute drive from Whitianga. These tours are ideal if you want less time on the water and to be at Cathedral Cove in minutes.

The Hahei Explorer: See it all in an hour! This is an exciting 1-hour express tour departs right from the south end of Hahei Beach, so you spend less time travelling and more time exploring the reefs, blowholes, Orua Sea Caves, and Cathedral Cove itself. The vessels are highly maneuverable, so they can get you right inside the caves!
Cathedral Cove Water Taxi: This is a simple, no-frills 10-minute water taxi that runs every 30 minutes from Hahei Beach to Cathedral Cove. If you’re tight on time or don’t want to do the walk to visit Cathedral Cove, hop on the water taxi and get dropped off right on the sand.

Kayaking

Cathedral Cove Kayak Tours: If you want to earn your morning tea, this 3-hour guided paddle is world-class. Departing from Hahei Beach, you’ll explore the coastline at a slower pace, gliding through rock gardens, interacting with sea life and sea caves before landing on the sand at Cathedral Cove for a coffee or hot chocolate on the beach. No experience is needed, suitable adults and kids, for but the morning departure is recommended for the calmest waters.

Departing from Tairua

A 45-minute drive from Whitianga.

Coromandel Ocean Adventures: Experience something different! Departing from the Tairua Marina (approx 45 minute drive from Whitianga). Visit the Alderman Islands (Ruamaahu) also known as the Vanishing Volcanoes – a unique island chain with ryolite domes and sweeping cliff faces stretching hundreds of metres into the air. Take a swim or a snorkel, with gear provided. Experience a more untouched side of the Coromandel

Planning a holiday with a group?

Book your next Coromandel getaway with us!

Sybil's Place

The Publican's

Book direct and save!

The best way to book your stay is right here on our website.

While we’re also listed and top-rated on platforms like Airbnb and Bookabach, booking direct with us saves you the guest service fees, which can add up to hundreds of dollars on a long weekend stay – money better spent on scenic boat tour!

We hope you found this guide helpful. Chat to us about your next stay in Whitianga!

If you’re looking for the best base for your next Coromandel getaway, look no further than our holiday homes at Bach Whitianga.

For more than 14 years, we’ve been hosting guests from all over the globe, taking pride in exceptional cleanliness, excellent communication, and fully-equipping our homes to ensure our guests have comfortable, fuss-free and unforgettable holidays in Whitianga.

If you have any questions about staying with us for your holiday, please get in touch with Rob at hello@bachwhitianga.co.nz. He’ll be happy to answer any queries you have and make sure we can accommodate your group.

Remember, when you book with us directly, you save on platform fees and get the guaranteed best price!

Read our previous blog posts:

6 January 20269 July 2026Blog, Boating & Fishing

A boatie’s guide to Whitianga

A boatie's guide to Whitianga: boat ramps, parking, charters

Whitianga is widely regarded as one of New Zealand’s best fishing locations, offering world-class access to the rich waters of the Coromandel Peninsula and fishing grounds for snapper, kingfish, gamefish, trevally, kahawai and more.

At Bach Whitianga, we regularly host fishing groups and families looking to enjoy time out on the water. Our holiday homes, Sybil’s Place and The Publican’s, truly provide the best home base for your boating group, set in an unbeatable location in Whitianga.

Aside from sea conditions, we know that a successful trip depends on planning and having a good base when you return from the water. We’ve put together a guide for your next Whitianga fishing mission while staying at our holiday homes.

1. Boat Parking

Parking is usually the biggest headache for boat owners on holiday. When you stay with us, there’s no need to worry.
Our holiday homes Sybil’s Place and The Publican’s offer plenty of spacious, off-street parking that can easily accommodate larger boats and trailers in Whitianga.

Bait freezers: We also have optional bait freezers available so your supplies are ready to go for your trip! Just ask Rob.

2. Boat Ramps

The Whitianga Boat Ramp is one of the most popular launching points in the region.

This is a large, 3 to 4-lane concrete all-tide facility with a central floating pontoon to assist in loading/unloading of passengers and equipment from vessels. The ramp caters for vessel lengths of up to 9m with relative ease.

Our holiday homes Sybil’s Place and The Publican’s are situated just 150m from the Whitianga Esplanade Boat Ramp – so you can have the boat in the water in minutes.

The Robinson Road Boat Ramp is alternative boat ramp in the Whitianga township, although we recommend the Whitianga Boat Ramp for your convenience.

With these boat ramps, there’s a few things to note:

Council Fees: The Thames-Coromandel District Council (TCDC) operates a “Pay to Launch” and “Pay to Park” system, and this includes the Whitianga Boat Ramp. You can find the latest fee structures and payment methods on the TCDC website.

Crowds: In peak season, trailer parking at the Whitianga Boat Ramp is often completely full by sunrise.

Not to worry! Return your trailer to Sybil’s or Publican’s! Because our houses are only 150m away, you can launch your boat, bring your trailer back to the holiday home and zip back to the ramp. Avoid the parking fees and the stress of finding a parking spot, for more time to enjoy the fishing.

The Kuaotunu Boat Ramp is another great option for boaties, and one of our personal recommendations. This boat ramp is a 15-20 minute drive over the hill from our holiday homes, located at Quarry Point, just off State Highway 25, Kuaotunu.

Trailer Parking: At the time of writing, this ramp does not have a parking fee (check the council website) – although with the crowds, parking availability is limited in peak season (December-January).

There is a metal road down to a two lane concrete ramp with a breakwater and has no bar crossing. There are some rocks to watch out for so line up the guide markers (located on the hill and a rock at the ramp) to get in and out of the channel. Best at mid-high tide, at low-tide can be very shallow so care needs to be taken. The space around the ramp is limited to two boats at a time, so on your return, wait at the reef outside the breakwater until a space is available.

This is one of the closest ramps to the Mercury Islands which boasts fantastic fishing and diving opportunities, as well as the north-eastern coastline of the Coromandel Peninsula.

3. Boat facilities at our holiday homes

We’re built for boaties! Our holiday homes cater to the needs of fishing and diving groups. In addition to our ample parking areas, we have all the facilities you need after a day on the water.

Sybil’s Place and The Publican’s are equipped with:

– Hoses to rinse your boat, trailer, and fishing gear
– Stainless steel filleting benches to process your catch
– Hot outdoor showers – great for divers and sandy kids!
– Washing lines – dry your life jackets and dive suits

After a trip out in the Mercury Bay, our homes are spacious and comfortable, so there’s plenty of room to spread out and relax. Our holiday homes cater for groups of all sizes, from 2-10 people! If you have a bigger group, Sybil’s and The Publican’s are adjacent – so rent both!

Planning a holiday with a group?

Take a look at our boat-friendly holiday homes!

Sybil's Place

The Publican's

Book direct and save!

The best way to book your stay is right here on our website. While we’re also listed on platforms like Airbnb and Bookabach, booking direct with us saves you the guest service fees, which can add up to hundreds of dollars on a long weekend stay – money better spent on fuel or a local charter.

4. Short walk to Whitianga’s bars & restaurants

Sybil’s Place and The Publican’s are set in the best location – just minutes walk from everything you need! Once the boat is tucked away, you may want to reward yourselves with a well-deserved refreshment. Whitianga town centre, restaurants and bars are just 100m away.

Leave the car home. Some bars/pubs within a 5-minute walk include:

- Stoked Public House
- Mercury Bay Game Fishing Club (requires member to sign in visitors)
- Buffalo Beach Club
- The Whitianga Hotel
- Grace O’Malley’s Irish Bar
- Smitty’s Sports Bar and Grill
- Salt Restaurant
- Marina Bay Eatery

5. Local Whitianga Fishing Charters

If you’re travelling from without your own boat, Whitianga’s charter fleet is world-class. Here’s a few to note:

- Epic Adventures: If you’re after legendary Yellowtail Kingfish, these are the guys to call. They have a reputation for putting guests on the big fish.
- Arataki Dive: If you’re after spectacular free-diving, spearfishing, scenic and fishing adventures, Arataki Dive is for you! In summer you may get to see majestic manta rays!
- Churchy’s Charters: If you’re after snapper, kingfish bluenose, or more, Churchy’s has you covered. Choose your target species, half or full day charter and enjoy!
- Whitiangler: If you’re after game fish including Marlin, Tuna, Mahimahi, Whitiangler has you covered. They also offer kingfish trips and scenic adventures.

Tip: Most charters depart from the Whitianga Wharf, which is just 150m from our front doors.

Coromandel Town Fishing Charters

Coromandel Town, a 45-minute drive from Whitianga, offers some fantastic fishing on the western side of the peninsula. It’s home to several productive mussel farms, which provide a plentiful food source for fish. Here’s a few fishing charters to note:

- Coro Cowboy Fishing Charters: Wanting to hook on to a snapper? Coro Cowboys offer fantastic half and full day trips around Coromandel’s productive mussel farms.
- Mussel Barge Snapper Safari: Since 1997, Mussel Barge Snapper Safaris has been the go-to for Coromandel fishing adventures. Book for an unforgettable day on the water!

6. Fishing Rules & Protected Areas

If you are bringing your own vessel, it is vital to respect the local environment and understand the protections in place.

Fishing rules: You can find the fishing rules, size and catch limits for all finfish, lobsters and shellfish in our region on this Ministry of Primary Industries webpage.

Total scallop ban: There is a total ban on recreational (and commercial) scallop fishing within the entire Coromandel fishing area, due to severe stock depletion. This ban has been in effect since March 2023 and remains in place.

Parts of the Hauraki Gulf, Coromandel waters and some offshore islands are under increased protection to ensure the fishery survives for generations.

Marine Reserves: We are home to the Te Whanganui-o-Hei/ Cathedral Cove Marine Reserve, The reserve is strictly no fishing or seafood gathering of any kind, but offers fantastic swimming and snorkelling opportunities, where you can observe a thriving marine environment. The geology of this whole coastline is dramatic and volcanic, with awe-inspiring cliffs, caves and rock formations. Exploring the coastline and marine reserve is a great activity for groups and families!

New protection areas: From October 25 2025, the Te Whanganui-o-Hei Marine Reserve has doubled in size. Check the DOC Website for the latest maps and regulations to avoid infringements.

The Mercury Islands Group: Visitors are allowed on Ahuahu Great Mercury Island, but visitors are required to adhere to their guidelines to ensure it remains pest-free and thriving with native biodiversity. Read and understand the Visitor Requirements here.

The rest of the islands in the Mercury Islands Group (Middle, Double, Korapuki, Red Mercury, Stanley and Green) are strictly no-landing and have no public access, as they are thriving predator-free islands. This is enforced by the Department of Conservation New Zealand.

Invasive exotic seaweed Caulerpa: New Zealand is currently experiencing the invasion of an exotic seaweed, ‘Caulerpa’ that is destroying marine life. For skippers, there are ‘check and clean’ rules for boats, anchors and fishing gear in place, you can find these here.

We hope you found this boaties guide to Whitianga helpful. Stay at our highly-rated holiday homes in Whitianga!

If you’re looking for the best base for your next fishing/boating getaway, look no further than our holiday homes at Bach Whitianga. We’re built for boaties, and we look forward to hosting you.

Our holiday homes, Sybil’s Place and The Publicans are two of Whitianga’s top-rated holiday rentals – based on hundreds of positive guest reviews across Airbnb, Booking.com and Bookabach.

If you have any questions about staying with us for your next fishing, diving or boating holiday, please get in touch with Rob at hello@bachwhitianga.co.nz. He’ll be happy to answer any queries you have and make sure we can accommodate your group.

Remember, when you book with us directly, you save on platform fees and get the guaranteed best price!

Read our previous blog post:

6 family friendly activities in Whitianga

15 August 202520 August 2026Blog, Kids & Family

6 family friendly activities in Whitianga

6 family friendly activities Whitianga

A great holiday in Whitianga starts with great accommodation in the best location. We’ve got that covered with your choice of two spacious holiday homes, Sybil’s Place or The Publican’s, as your holiday base. Once you’ve arrived, we’ve got some suggestions to make the most of your Coromandel holiday with the young ones in tow.

From swimming spots to the best places for an ice cream treat, there’s activities that cater to all ages and interests!

1. Buffalo Beach: easy family fun

For families, Buffalo Beach is the ultimate go-to. It’s a long sandy beach with safe swimming, endless shell collecting and sandcastle building. And the best part? It’s less than a minute’s walk from Sybil’s Place and The Publican’s – making it a simple, low-effort option.

Pack a picnic, togs, boogie boards, sports balls, buckets and spades for hours of fun. We have some beach supplies at our holiday homes, but if you’re looking for something more, The Glasshouse Emporium is an affordable shop just a two-minute walk away – grab kites, sandcastle equipment, fishing rods and more. On the way home, grab an ice block or delicious real fruit ice cream at the Buffalo Beach Four Square. When you get back, our holiday homes have hot outdoor showers to wash away the sand!

Summer activities:
– The Banana Boat offers fun rides and tours on their inflatable banana, departing from Buffalo Beach during summer.
– Surf Coromandel offers surf lessons at Buffalo Beach Reserve near Taputapuatea Stream during summer.

2. Wild Wood Mini Golf Whitianga (temporarily closed)

Classed as one of New Zealand’s best mini golf courses, Wild Wood Mini Golf is a must-do for children and adults alike! Navigate through 18 holes of miniature golf, surrounded by lush gardens, banana trees, and mesmerising water features. Spot the turtles in the ponds as you play! The course owner, Darren, is a national mini putt champion, and the course is well kept.

The mini golf course is a 5-minute drive or 15-20 minute walk from The Publicans and Sybil’s Place. There are refreshments and ice cream available on-site, and great rates for larger groups. Make sure to stop at Wild Wood for a day of family fun!

Wild Wood is currently closed. Check Google for up to date information on re-opening.

3. Whitianga Bike Park and community gardens

Looking for an active, free day out? No matter the weather, the Whitianga Bike Park is great for an outdoor day! This volunteer-maintained park offers trails for all skill levels – dedicated kiddies trail, exciting pump track, jumps, mountain biking trails, and easy-riding trails for the whole family. Located on Moewai Road, just a 6 minute drive from Sybil’s Place and The Publican’s holiday home. Bring your own bike or use one of the many complimentary bikes available on-site.

The park also has picnic and BBQ facilities (just bring your own gas bottle!) alongside play areas and enjoyable walking trails. While the bike park is free, donations are strongly encouraged to contribute to its ongoing maintenance.

Planning a holiday with a group?

Take a look at our family-friendly holiday homes!

Sybil's Place

The Publican's

4. Ferry ride and ice cream at The Eggsentric Cafe, Flaxmill Bay

Family fun is just a ferry ride away! To the east of Whitianga township is another beautiful section of the Coromandel Peninsula. Instead of taking the 35-minute drive around, jump on the ferry which connects you to Ferry Landing in under 5-minutes. The Whitianga Ferry operates almost continuously between Whitianga Wharf and Ferry Landing. The kids will love the ferry ride over!

Head down to the Whitianga wharf – a 5-minute walk from The Publican’s and Sybil’s Place. You can buy ferry tickets on-board with cash or card. Once you’re at Ferry Landing, it’s a short walk to Front Beach and Flaxmill Bay. The Eggsentric Café is a must-stop! Located at Flaxmill Bay, they offer a range of delicious home-baked goods, fresh cabinet items, kitchen meals, coffee and delicious ice creams!

If you have small children – Flaxmill Bay offers safer, shallower swimming. Front Beach has a steep drop off and can have large waves.

Extra walks in the area
Whitianga Rock Walk – As soon as you hop off the ferry at Ferry Landing, there is a quick 15-minute return walk up Whitianga Rock historic reserve to the remnants of a Māori Pā site. Stunning views looking back over Whitianga.
Shakespeare’s Cliff Walk – From Flaxmill Bay, you can take the cliff path up to Shakespeare’s Cliff Reserve and lookout. Moderate 25-minute walk to the summit, which rewards you with stunning views across Mercury Bay, offshore islands and Cook’s Beach.

5. Great movies at Mercury Twin Cinemas

If the kids are wanting to see the latest blockbuster movies or the weather isn’t looking flash, look no further than Mercury Twin Cinemas! It’s a wonderful family-run movie theatre screening the newest mainstream and independent films with Dolby Stereo sound, air conditioning and comfortable seating. There’s a movie for everyone, plus a fantastic treat and candy bar (+ beer and wine for the parents!).

Mercury Twin Cinemas also offer specials for children’s birthday parties and larger groups. Just a 6-minute walk from The Publican’s and Sybil’s Place, it’s the perfect place for whole-family fun!

6. Meet the animals at Whiti Farm Park

Rain or shine – Whiti Farm Park offers an affordable, fun day for the whole family. Meet, hand-feed, cuddle and interact with over 40 species of friendly farmyard and exotic animals, birds and reptiles. Farm machinery, a train, a fire engine and old fashioned games are dotted around the park to inspire, intrigue and educate. Spend the day meandering through eight acres of mature park surroundings and a native bush. The farm park is located just a 10-minute drive south of Whitianga on State Highway 25.

Stay at our highly-rated holiday homes in Whitianga

Our holiday homes, Sybil’s Place and The Publicans are two of Whitianga’s top-rated holiday rentals – based on hundreds of positive guest reviews across Airbnb, Booking.com and Bookabach. For more than 14 years, we’ve been hosting guests from all over the globe, taking pride in exceptional cleanliness, excellent communication, and fully-equipping our homes to ensure our guests have comfortable, fuss-free and unforgettable holidays in Whitianga.

Are you looking for an excellent base for your next family or group getaway? Would you like to stay in a classic kiwi holiday home just steps away from the beach? Check out our family-friendly holiday homes Sybil’s Place and The Publicans.

When you book with us directly, you save on platform fees and get the guaranteed best price!