Cathedral Cove Boat Tour Hahei: Sea Caves & Marine Reserve

Summary

Hahei’s volcanic coast by boat sea caves cliffs marine reserve

You’ll cruise from Hahei Beach past volcanic cliffs and into echoing sea caves on this Cathedral Cove boat tour. A local guide shares stories as you spot marine life and drift close to famous arches. Feel salt spray on your face, hear laughter bouncing off stone walls — there’s something quietly thrilling about seeing this coast from the water.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll be honest — I thought I knew Cathedral Cove from all those glossy postcards, but seeing it from the water? Whole different story. We left Hahei Beach in this little ten-seater boat, just me, my partner, a family from Auckland, and our guide Mark (who had that sun-bleached Kiwi look and a habit of calling everyone “mate”). The wind was salty and sharp that morning — not cold exactly, but it woke me up better than coffee. Five minutes out and the whole coastline started to feel bigger somehow, with those pale cliffs leaning right over us.

Mark pointed out the layers in the rock (“ignimbrite,” he said — I probably mispronounced it when I tried to say it back). We slid into these huge sea caves where the water turned this weird electric blue under the hull. There was a moment in Orua cave when everyone went quiet except for some kid giggling about echoes. I could smell wet stone and something almost metallic. Didn’t expect to feel so small in there, honestly.

We never got off at Cathedral Cove itself — apparently you can’t with the boat — but drifting past it, arches framing the sky, felt more private than walking down with a crowd. There were gannets circling overhead and once or twice we spotted fish darting just below us. Mark told a story about dolphins showing up sometimes; no luck for us that day, but even without them it felt like we’d gotten away with something special. I keep thinking about that light through the archway — how bright it looked after the shadows of the caves. Anyway, we looped back to Hahei Beach after an hour, hair full of salt and grinning for no real reason.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — One hour boat tour at Cathedral Cove

• Depart from Hahei Beach
• Boat ride to Cathedral Cove
• View ignimbrite sea caves and cliffs
• Discover large sea caves like Orua
• Experience marine life up close
• Return to Hahei Beach

Top questions

How long does the Cathedral Cove boat tour take?

The tour lasts about one hour from departure to return at Hahei Beach.

Does the Cathedral Cove boat tour include getting off at Cathedral Cove?

No, you stay on the boat during the entire tour and do not disembark at Cathedral Cove.

Where does the Cathedral Cove boat tour start?

The tour departs directly from Hahei Beach on the Coromandel Peninsula.

Is marine life visible during the Cathedral Cove boat tour?

Yes, you may see fish and other marine life up close during the tour.

Are children or infants allowed on board?

Yes, infants and small children can join; infants must sit on an adult’s lap or in a stroller.

What is included in the Cathedral Cove boat tour?

The tour includes a lifejacket for each passenger and dry bags for belongings.

How many people are on each boat tour?

The boats seat only ten passengers per trip for a more personal experience.

What’s included

Your hour on the water includes a seat in a small group boat (just ten people), safety gear like lifejackets provided by your guide, plus dry bags to keep anything important safe from spray while you explore sea caves and coastal arches before returning to Hahei Beach.