Cathedral Cove Boat Tour: What to Expect
You’ve booked your Ocean Leopard trip. Here’s everything else worth knowing before you arrive at the wharf — where to park, what the boat’s actually like, our cancellation policy, and a few practical questions guests ask us most often.
Getting to Whitianga Wharf
Parking. During off-peak times of year, there’s plenty of street parking near the wharf. Between mid-December and mid-January, allow a little extra time to find a park — it’s the busiest stretch of the year on the Coromandel, and spaces near the wharf go quickly.
If you’re coming across on the ferry from Ferry Landing, there’s a small carpark near the wharf itself, and a larger carpark about two minutes’ walk back up the road if the smaller one is full.
All parking is free.
Arrival time. Please arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled departure so we can run through the safety briefing before setting off. If you’re running late, we’re able to wait up to 5 minutes past the scheduled departure time — after that, the boat will need to leave without you, so it’s worth building in a buffer, especially during the busier summer weeks when parking takes longer to find.
What the Boat Is Like
Ocean Leopard is a purpose-built RIB with forward-facing seating and an open-air structure — every seat faces the direction of travel, and there are no enclosed sides between you and the sea air.
That design isn’t just about comfort. Facing forward, having plenty of fresh air and clear visibility of the horizon can also help guests who are concerned about seasickness. The boat’s pontoons and wide beam provide a stable platform, although conditions vary and anyone particularly prone to motion sickness may still want to take their usual precautions before travelling.
From mid-October 2026, our brand-new purpose-built sightseeing boat will also have an onboard toilet, adding another level of comfort to the trip.
You’re welcome to bring your own food and drink — we actually encourage it for families with young children, as it can make all the difference on a two-hour trip. We just ask that all rubbish comes away with you afterwards.
What You'll See
Our two-hour Cathedral Cove and Volcanic Coast Tour explores around 12 kilometres of Mercury Bay coastline. From Whitianga, we cruise past Cooks Beach, Lonely Bay and Hahei before reaching Cathedral Cove and the protected waters of Te Whanganui-a-Hei Marine Reserve.
Along the way you’ll see volcanic cliffs, pinnacles, blowholes and hidden sea caves, including the immense Orua Sea Cave when conditions allow. Wildlife varies from trip to trip, with seabirds common and dolphins, seals and other marine life sometimes making an appearance.
We don’t land at Cathedral Cove or stop for snorkelling — the full two hours are spent exploring the coastline from the water.
What's Included
- A modern, high-quality lifejacket for every guest
- Premium blankets during the cooler months
Weather and Cancellations
We take sea and weather conditions seriously, and we’d rather move your trip to a better day than take you out because a booking exists. Ocean Leopard reserves the right to cancel or amend any trip due to sea or weather conditions, or if minimum numbers aren’t reached.
- If we cancel your trip, you won’t be charged.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours in advance, the full charge applies.
- Cancellations are only valid once confirmed by us — if you don’t hear back within 24 hours of requesting a cancellation, please get in touch to make sure we’ve received it.
Accessibility
Our boat isn’t wheelchair accessible — wheelchairs can’t be taken on board. That said, many guests with limited mobility are still able to enjoy the tour. If you’re able to transfer from your wheelchair onto the boat with assistance, our forward-facing seats with supportive backrests offer a secure, comfortable place to sit for the journey.
Every guest’s situation is different, so we’d encourage you to get in touch before booking. We’re happy to talk through your specific needs and let you know whether the tour is likely to be a good fit.
What to Bring
Sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat and a camera cover most conditions. Even on a warm day, the sea breeze can make it feel noticeably cooler once you’re underway, so bring an extra layer. In the cooler months, we provide blankets on board — but dress warmly regardless.
One Last Thing
Every trip on Mercury Bay is a little different — the coastline, the caves, the wildlife you might see along the way. What doesn’t change is the care we put into getting you there and back safely and comfortably.
If you’ve got questions we haven’t answered here, get in touch. We’d rather you arrive knowing exactly what to expect.
Ready to explore the coast? Take a look at our Cathedral Cove and Volcanic Coast Tour for departure times, pricing and bookings.