Whitianga: Cathedral Cove - Inside Sea Caves Boat Cruise
Overview
Available languages
2 hours
Mobile ticket
Join this small-group boat tour exploring Cathedral Cove's volcanic coastline and caves accessible only by boat. We go inside Orua Sea Cave, New Zealand's second-largest sea cave, plus blowholes and formations that larger boats cannot reach. Discover towering pinnacles at Shakespeare Cliff, Lonely Bay, and Cooks Beach. Optional snorkeling in the Marine Reserve. Experience music resonating through ancient volcanic sea caves as you discover New Zealand's most spectacular coastal caves and geological wonders.
Additional Info
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Not Suitable for infants or children under 10kgs as jackets & lap sitting is NOT possible
Access is fairly easily, possible for partially disabled persons, please enquire if unsure
What To Expect
Whitianga
Meet your Sipper on Whitianga Wharf at the boat for your safety briefing before departure
Ferry Landing Wharf
Listen to some Kauri harvesting history around Ferry Landing & Whitianga during years long ago.
Options
Whitianga: Cathedral Cove - Inside Sea Caves Boat Cruise
What‘s Included
Mask & Snorkels
Guided Boat Tour
Bottled water
Lunch
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
62 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Best boat trip ever!
rachellZ4533KR,Mar 28, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Absolutely amazing trip! So immersive and Brian knew so much about the history of the island! He also got us into some amazing caves and places I didn’t think we would ever see! Not to mention the best music and energy! One of the best boat trips I have ever taken and I have taken many! The speed the boat can get up to is also so fun and makes the tip very exciting! Thank you Brian!!
Perfect trip. Lots of fun
96anx,Mar 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fanatsitc boat trip. Nice and funny Guide (he was called Brian) with interessing information. Great music. We Loved it and would definitely do it again. Greetings from germany
A fun, memorable trip
Zyg S,Feb 1, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A very enjoyable experience from start to finish also great value. Informative, interesting topped off by a thrilling fast powerboat ride . Highly recommended.
Scenic, informative, exhilarating!
andrewlQ115PY,Jan 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a brilliant experience on the Cave Cruzer with Brian. He was a great host - friendly, humorous & informative - & made his guests feel comfortable, obviously wanting everyone to enjoy the experience. We got involved & experienced far more than we expected & at times it was exhilarating! Would thoroughly recommend this trip. Great value for money. Andrew & Ruth Lewis
Do this trip you will not be disappointed
Leanne K,Jan 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Brian excelled and put in 100 percent effort at making this a fun exhilarating and interesting trip for us. He made it fun and enjoyable from the moment we stepped onto the boat and we had a few laughs. He always put our safety first and kept on checking if we were comfortable or needed to swop seats. He drove into the caves and blew a horn to show us how the acoustics worked. Inside the cave he fed fish to bring them close to the boat for us to see but in doing so was always conscious of protecting marine life and the environment. From booking to the end of the tour Brian's communication was exemplary. This has been the highlight tour of our visit to New Zealand. Thank you Brian for a memorable day.
Great tour
Sherpa48882778766,Dec 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent tour and excellent tour guide! Very informative and was a fun experience. Brain was a wealth of knowledge on the area.
A beautiful ride!
jamesjW9511UW,Mar 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was a very interesting cruise around the different famous places at Cathedral Cove. The one down side was we hit some wind so we couldn't see every place but the captain, Brian, made it up to us with some exciting boating at the end.
Fantastic, exhilarating, fun day
Trail13019166770,Mar 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My daughter and I had a fabulous couple of hours racing over the waves to get to some of the most stunning scenery. Brian was a great captain, good host with fab music and wicked sense of humour. I would recommend it to anyone fancying something a little different…
Packs a lot in
520ceric,Mar 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00We took this trip on the last day of my holiday and that made it a memorable one. We really enjoyed exploring the beautiful coast and caves, getting to see far more than we could have packed in otherwise. We particularly liked snorkelling towards the end of the trip and seeing so many colourful fish and urchins.
This is the tour you want to take!
Nonnie07,Mar 3, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We decided the day before to take this tour after our walk to Cathedral Cove was a bit disappointing - SO many people on the beach which is totally understandable for a gorgeous summer Sunday afternoon. All I can say about the tour we took was that it was hands down the best thing we did on the North Island. The owner/operator/boat captain was awesome. He was fun and informative and did his best to make sure everyone enjoyed the tour. This is the tour you want to take!!! It’s the only one that actually goes INTO several coastal caves. He makes sure everyone gets the opportunity to get good photos as well.
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