Cathedral Cove, Hot Water Beach & Coromandel Small Group Day Tour from Auckland
Overview
Available languages
Experience the best of the Coromandel Peninsula on this small-group, fully-guided day trip from Auckland. Designed to give you ample time at each destination, this tour allows you to relax, explore, and soak in the beauty of this iconic region without feeling rushed, while giving you the opportunity to visit Cathedral Cove, named One of the World’s Top 50 Beaches!
Led by our famously passionate guides, who bring your journey to life with their stories and extensive knowledge, you'll travel in modern, comfortable minibuses equipped with thoughtful extras to ensure your comfort and safety.
Description
Important Information:
- Guests must wear reliable, closed-in footwear suitable for walking on various terrains.
- A reasonable level of fitness is required, as the tour includes some walking and uneven paths. To ensure everyone has an enjoyable experience, we kindly ask that you consider your fitness and mobility before joining our tours. This helps maintain a smooth pace for the group and ensures a positive experience for all
- Your date not available? This means the tide is not compatible for visiting Hot Water Beach. Instead, you can join our Cathedral Cove & Coromandel Coastal Adventure Tour
Highlights:
- Cathedral Cove
- Coromandel Peninsula
- Hot Water Beach
- Native Bush Walks
Itinerary:
- AucklandYour day begins in New Zealand’s largest city. As we leave Auckland, your guide will set the stage for the day’s adventure, pointing out key landmarks and sharing fascinating insights about the area.
- WaikatoJourney south through the picturesque Waikato countryside, renowned as the world's most extensive farming region. Along the way, take in the beautiful scenery, mighty rivers, and impressive mountains, with plenty of photo opportunities.
- Coromandel PeninsulaEntering the Coromandel Peninsula, you'll encounter its untouched beauty, from white sand beaches to sprawling native forests. We’ll make several scenic stops for short walks and photo opportunities, soaking in the region’s breathtaking landscapes en route to our first major destination.
- Hot Water BeachRelax at the famous Hot Water Beach. If tides allow, dig a hole in the sand to create your personal geothermal spa while ocean waves gently cool you off. Don’t forget swimwear and a change of clothes for this unique experience!
- Cathedral CoveAfter a delicious lunch (own expense), visit Cathedral Cove, one of New Zealand’s most iconic natural landmarks. The challenging walk to Cathedral Cove takes between 30 - 45 minutes, but the reward is well worth it, stunning coastal views and the opportunity to explore this breathtaking beach. Mautohe Cathedral Cove has been named one of the Top 50 Beaches in the World!!
- Return to AucklandAs we head back to Auckland, your guide will ensure the journey remains engaging, including secret stops and more fascinating insights along the way.
PLEASE NOTE: Access to Cathedral Cove is weather-dependent. For safety reasons, the track may be unsuitable after or during heavy rain. In such cases, alternative arrangements will be made to ensure you still have an incredible experience.
Cancellation Policy
Terms: Tours will only run if at least 5 people have booked on the tour, we reserves the right to alter the tour due to weather or operational needs.
A full refund will be issued for cancellations made a minimum of 10 days prior to the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Small Group Tour
Fully Guided
Spades for Hot Water Beach
Water available & snacks provided
Meeting points
Select a meeting point
Options
Reviews
285 reviews
Fantastic Cathedral Cove and Hot Water Beach tour
825katharinap,Apr 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had really nice trip to Coromandel Peninsula and Cathedral Cove aBeach today with our guide Simon. I really enjoyed the tour. Simon has very good sense of humor that invigorates the atmosphere. He was very informative and knowledgeable about things we saw and very caring. We got really lucky with weather as it was rain forecasted, but it rained once we re in the van. We had tremendous sunny moments at the beach that made it really memorable. The Cathedral Cove is spectacular and makes an impression. The Hot water Beach was amazing as it is an incredible experience to feel the hot sand and water knowing that beneath only 2,5km is real volcanic magma flow. It is just out of this world. Further the tour was good organized, on time, perfect pick up and drop off besides the heavy traffic back to Auckland. The van was comfortable what made the whole day touring very pleasant experience. I am happy that I will be going with Cheeky Kiwi on more tours in New Zealand. I highly recommend the tour, the company and their drivers. Well done 👍
Cathedral Cove Is Amazing
TheRomanceTravel1,Apr 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Great day, except for the weather and all of the stairs LOL
Coromandel a breathtaking joy of nature
Helena J,Apr 5, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Liam, our guide, was helpful, gave us lots of information on sites, history and culture. He made sire we were all comfortable and went out of his way to please us. The sites he took us to were amazing, I highly recommend this tour.
Like traveling with a knowledgeable local friend
tnE1865AF,Apr 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Liam was such a mindful, caring and knowledgeable guide! I really appreciated his explanations about the local flora and fauna, as well as about NZ history, and the local treats he got for us to try. It was a great day out and it felt like traveling with a local friend :)
My Second Tour with Cheeky Kiwi, and I'm Very Pleased
O3992HXmichaelr,Apr 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My second tour with Cheeky Kiwi, and I am very pleased. This trip went to Cathedral Cove, with its' movie-set dramatic formations, and Hot Water Beach with hot springs coming through the sands right next to the ocean (weird in a good way). Certainly unique sites to visit however, personally, I enjoyed the ride even more than the destinations. Sam was our guide. A truly genuine person, with innate New Zealand charm. He shared his excitement about the unique flora and fauna along the way, as well as pointing out what to look for at each stop (with a couple of quick side trips to show us his discoveries made in the areas). Because we were a full tour, and me being solo, Sam offered that I sit in front in the van--which I gladly accepted. When Sam wasn't narrating the trip, I learned more about New Zealand multiculturalism, the Maori people, and cultures of other South Pacific Islands--and how they relate to my home state of Hawaii. All this while looking at beautiful countryside and mountain passes. Don't get me wrong, Cathedral Cove and Hot Water Beach are definitely unique experiences--and New Zealand has so much natural beauty (this coming from someone who lives in a beautiful place). For me, learning about people and their cultures is very interesting, and meeting a genuine-but-low key person like Sam added so much to the trip.
Great day!
931sydneyf,Apr 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Had an amazing time visiting the Coromandel Pennisula. Got to see Cathedral Cove where Narnia was filmed and got to enjoy a nice swim in the cove. It was also a lot of fun digging our own hot tub at the hot water beach. Our guide Sam was great at bringing us to some great scenic stops and great ice cream!
Looking for a good time Then go!
Thomas M,Apr 1, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Amazing day of gorgeous beaches and hot water spring Tour guide Simon provided great information while knowing when space was appropriate Highly recommend
Splendid scenery on journey and destination
RubySiganporia,Mar 24, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was a tour as beautiful as can be.A lovely road through hillside and the ocean. The river Firth of Thames was amazing. The cove is aptly named. The tour guide was specially co-oprative and cordial. She allowed us to enjoy the walk to the ocean as well as the water taxi ride for those that wanted it. She updated us on the history and geography of NZ. She did a great job.
Beautiful way to experience Coromandel in one day!
Shikhar M,Mar 19, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00An amazing day trip with a nice and short hike to the Cathedral Cove (there seems to be an alternative way to go as well by paying $40 and taking a water taxi, but I definitely recommend the hike to take in Coromandel). The beach itself is beautiful with plenty of space and avenues to take pictures and take a dip. The hot water beach on the other hand is okayish. Not bad but nothing super spectacular itself. However the trip is worth just the first half. Also our guide, Ari was absolutely amazing with tidbits of trivia and making the journey quite fun.
Coromondel Tour
Daniel H,Mar 18, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It was a great way to have a stressless visit to the Coromondel area! Sam (it’s only a few steps) was an excellent guide!
From A$223.92
Auckland, New Zealand
- Free cancellation
Reserve Now & Pay Later - available
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