ABOUT US
We’ve been proudly running our family-owned business here in Whitianga since 2010.
When you genuinely care about a place, you naturally want to do right by it. At Ocean Leopard Tours, we’re always fine-tuning what we do so our guests can experience Cathedral Cove and the surrounding coastline in a way that feels relaxed, respectful and memorable.
We live in Cooks Beach with our young family. Our kids attend local schools, our dog Luna keeps us company on daily beach walks, and being part of this community is something we truly value. This coastline isn’t just where we work, it’s where our family life happens.
Justin’s connection to the area goes back even further. He grew up holidaying in Hahei with his parents, following a tradition that had already been passed down through generations. Those long summers on the water shaped his love for the ocean and this stretch of coast, and that connection still guides the way we run our tours today.
For us, taking people out on the water is about more than pointing out landmarks. It’s about sharing a place that means a great deal to our family and inviting you to experience it in a genuine, unhurried way, while creating your own memories along the coast.
- Highly ranked on TripAdvisor every year since 2011
- “Highly recommended” by Lonely Planet Guide
- Winner of Destination Coromandel’s Service Excellence Award
- Proud holders of a Department of Conservation Mammal watching permit
- As an owner operated business we take a lot of pride in what we do. We strive to deliver the best boat trip in Whitianga.
Ocean Leopard Tours is proud to be a Department of Conservation Marine Mammal Permit holder. This means we meet strict standards for responsible wildlife viewing, ensuring dolphins, seals, and other marine life are protected while you enjoy unforgettable encounters along our coast.
At Ocean Leopard we are staunch follows the Tiaki Promise — a commitment to care for New Zealand, its people, and its culture. By embracing the Tiaki principles, we help protect our land, sea, and wildlife so future generations can experience the Coromandel coast as we do today.
Our business operates under strict Maritime New Zealand requirements, ensuring the highest standards of safety and compliance on every trip. From vessel maintenance to crew training, we meet all regulatory obligations so you can relax and enjoy the coast with confidence.
Ocean Leopard Tours is committed to sustainable tourism in Aotearoa. We offset our carbon footprint by planting native trees annually and discourage the use of single use plastics. We kindly ask that passengers take all rubbish away with them after their tour.