ABOUT OCEAN LEOPARD
We’ve been proudly running our family-owned business here in Whitianga since 2010.
Ocean Leopard was built on a genuine love for the Mercury Bay coastline. When you care about a place, you naturally want to do right by it. That’s why we’re always refining what we do, so our guests can experience Cathedral Cove and the surrounding coastline in a way that feels relaxed, respectful and memorable.
Today we live in Cooks Beach with our young family. Our children attend local schools, our dog Luna keeps us company on daily beach walks, and being part of this community is something we genuinely 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 spending school holidays in Hahei with his parents, following a family tradition that had already been passed down through generations. Those long summers on the water sparked a lifelong appreciation for the Mercury Bay coastline and shaped the way we see this remarkable part of the Coromandel today.
After thousands of trips on the water, we still find ourselves slowing down as Cathedral Cove comes into view. That sense of wonder has never disappeared, and it’s something we hope every guest experiences too.
For us, taking people out on the water is about far more than pointing out landmarks. It’s about sharing a coastline that has shaped our family for generations and inviting you to experience it in a genuine, unhurried way. If you leave with a deeper appreciation of Mercury Bay than when you arrived, then we’ve done our job.
- TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice and Best of the Best award winner
- Winner of Destination Coromandel’s Service Excellence Award
- Proud holders of a Department of Conservation Mammal watching permit
- As a family-owned and operated business, we take pride in offering a personal, locally guided experience of the Mercury Bay coastline.
Ocean Leopard 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 supporters of 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 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.