Cathedral Cove and Hot Water Beach day tour from Auckland

You dig the hot pool yourself in the sand at Hot Water Beach.

A full-day scenic tour from Auckland to Cathedral Cove and Hot Water Beach on the Coromandel Peninsula, with a driver-guide and spade hire included. The tour covers the drive to Coromandel, time at Cathedral Cove (a walkway leads to the beach, a water taxi is available at your own cost if you prefer not to walk), and a stop at Hot Water Beach where you dig into the sand to release hot springs and soak in the thermal water. Pickup from Auckland is included. The tour runs 11 hours.

Step-by-step itinerary

Scenic tour to Cathedral Cove and Hot Water Beach

• Drive from Auckland to Coromandel
• Visit Cathedral Cove
• Relax and dig hot pools at Hot Water Beach
• Drive back to Auckland

The experience

The drive from Auckland to the Coromandel Peninsula takes you through changing landscape to reach two natural sites that draw people back. Cathedral Cove sits at the end of a walkway on the peninsula's east coast. The beach and cave were filmed as the tunnel entrance in The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, and the cove has also appeared in music videos and become a standard stop for anyone visiting the area. If the walkway is not an option for you, a water taxi runs from nearby Hahei at your own cost.

Hot Water Beach is where the day shifts from watching to doing. Underground hot springs filter up through the sand, and at low tide visitors dig holes to release the hot water and create pools to soak in. A spade is available to hire from the shop at the beach, and you bring your own effort. The digging is part of the experience, not a setup someone else handles. One bottle of water per person is included to keep you hydrated through the day.

Your guide drives the full route and speaks English, Hindi or Punjabi. The tour runs 11 hours total, which accounts for the drive each way and time at both stops. Parking fees are covered. Infants can sit on an adult's lap, and service animals are welcome. The itinerary does assume a moderate level of fitness for the walking and the physical activity at the beach.

What’s included

• Driver-guide for the full day.
• spade hire at Hot Water Beach.
• one bottle of water per person.
• all parking fees.
• pickup from Auckland.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

Book up to6h before

AgesUp to age 70

GroupUp to 9

Live guideEnglish, Hindi and Punjabi

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 18 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPets welcomeNot recommended with heart problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by H SHARMA

Is this one for you?The tour is 11 hours and involves a moderate walk to Cathedral Cove plus active digging at Hot Water Beach, so it suits travelers with reasonable fitness who are ready for a full day of driving and physical activity rather than a shorter outing.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Hindi and Punjabi.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Cathedral Cove and why do people visit it?

Cathedral Cove is a beach and cave on the Coromandel Peninsula that was used as a filming location for The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian. A walkway leads to the cove, and it has become a popular natural attraction for its scenery and movie connection.

Can I get to Cathedral Cove if I don't want to walk the walkway?

A water taxi runs from nearby Hahei to Cathedral Cove, available at your own cost if you prefer not to use the walkway.

What do I actually do at Hot Water Beach?

At Hot Water Beach you dig into the sand to release the underground hot springs, creating a pool of thermal water where you can soak. A spade is available to hire from the shop at the beach.

How long is the full tour and what's included in the price?

The tour runs 11 hours from Auckland and back. Included are the driver-guide, spade hire at Hot Water Beach, one bottle of water per person, and all parking fees. Pickup from Auckland is included.