Cathedral Cove Kayak Tour
5
LIKELY TO SELL OUT*
Cathedral Cove Kayak Tour
By Cathedral Cove Kayak Tours
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About
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation
Ages 5-100, max of 8 per group
Duration: 3h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English
More
Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best
2024
- Hot chocolates, cappuccinos & cookies included!
- Start:
- Hahei Beach, 2 Hahei Beach Road, Hahei 3591, New ZealandThe meeting point is at the kayaks on Hahei Beach. Drive to the end of Hahei Beach Road and park where you can. Walk onto the beach and the kayaks are to your right. Please arrive on the beach 15 minutes before the starting time of the trip.
End:This activity ends back at the meeting point. - Not wheelchair accessible
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 202324P1- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Most travellers can participate
- Any special needs/ requests just contact us directly and we'll try our hardest to accomodate you
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 8 travellers
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
- If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 202324P1
From
$175.00
per adult
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About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
- liz0440 contributionsTAKE THIS WONDERFUL TRIPThis is a brilliant trip . Quick and informative briefing and in no time at all we were on the seas (I had never been in a kayak before ) We were divided into very small groups and allocated a private instructor. We had the brilliant JAMES who couldn’t have taken more trouble to give us the best afternoon kyaking . He navigated us expertly through the choppy waters and told us very interesting facts and ancient stories about the area and the programme for the sea restoration . THANK YOUWritten 8 February 2024
- Paolo D0 contributionsSimply fantasticIt's just a superb experience. Awesome water all the way to Cathedral Cove and The other hidden gems. Our Guide Hayden has a wealth of knowledge About the history of the area from the Maori to captain Cook. A must do.Written 1 February 2024
- Angela H0 contributionsDo it if you canWhat a fantastic way to see Cathedral Cove & the surrounding area. It was lovely to be out at sea & paddling into the cove & we're glad we did this instead of a boat trip. All of the staff were excellent, we need to shout out James our guide & Hayden. Definitely do this if you have the chance.Written 30 January 2024
- jenpar2250 contributionsBrilliant trip, fun paddling and sailing! Very well led by Ollie, our kayaking barista!!We were really looking forward to this trip and concerned when the forecast spoke of thunderstorms. Luckily for us, they weren't due until the afternoon, so we headed into the waves. Ollie was a considerate, calm, knowledgeable, and above all fun guide who helped make our trip memorable. We loved kayaking into the coves, hearing why they were named Gemstone, Stingray, and Cathedral. Landing on Cathedral Beach was quite an art, and I'm glad Ollie was there to guide us in safely and then brew cappuccino on the beach! Very impressive. Our return trip via the archway on Poikeke Island was cool, and I loved the sail helping us home as the swell increased. It was a real bonus to see photos from our trip afterwards. Thanks to Ollie and the team at Cathedral Cove Kayak Tours.Written 29 January 2024
- Odyssey3113660 contributionsFun morning of kayakingReally fun morning kayaking. Our guide Oliver was excellent and the trip was exactly as billed. Beautiful scenery, gentle kayaking and a great way to see the coast.Written 7 January 2024
- Nikki H0 contributionsHighly recommendDid the sunrise trip. The views were beautiful, the guide was entertaining and knowledgeable. It was freezing at sunrise but water was very calm.Written 1 January 2024
- M8059KRtomm0 contributionsGreat morning out paddling.Cracking morning see the Coromandels from a different perspective. Kayaks were easy and Ollie was a great guide. Easy, fun and enjoyable.Written 20 December 2023
- lachlantm0 contributionsGreat kayaking experienceVisited October 2022. Great kayak trip along the coast line, landing at Cathedral Cove. Our guide was friendly and knowledgable, the coffee and biscuits were a welcome treat, and the Cove was magnificent - thoroughly recommend!Written 20 December 2023
- johnalistairw0 contributionsgood kayakingThis was well organised, safe and efficent.They explained how to use the kayak well. They know what they are doing . We had about 2 hours paddling including floating in clear water over a shoal of fish. our leader Andrea took photos when we were out: these were posted on line that night so we could view/ download. No need to risk dropping the cameraWritten 15 December 2023
- Lisa A0 contributionsLatte & PaddlesExcellent. Great people, service, experience and staff skill. We’ll be doing it again for sure. The latte on the beach was fab too!Written 13 December 2023
- RotorHawaii0 contributionsWonderful experience!Excellent experience! Wonderful guide, great equipment and beautiful nature! The tea & coffee on the beach was a lovely touch!Written 7 December 2023
- jacalyny0 contributionsWe Have a Convert!Cathedral Cove Kayak Tour is one of the highlights on our trip to New Zealand. Mike runs a tight ship and hires amazing guides. Ollie a recent uni grad was an excellent guide. It was my husband’s first kayaking experience and he was initially reluctant to participate. Ollie’s patience, kindness, and expertise made my husband a fan of kayaking. I thank you Cathedral Cove Kayak Tour and Olllie for getting him over the line. We had perfect weather and the waters clear and azure. The cherry on top was seeing a large pod of dolphins frolicking nearby!! Thank you Mike and Ollie for an incredible experience!!Written 27 November 2023
- Bruce_Barker0 contributionsDon’t miss this opportunity to explore Cathedral CoveWell organised, clear instructions, good attention to both fun and safety. Our guide Georgia was sensible and knowledgeable- a real asset. Equipment was all in good condition. It was such a good experience I would do it again tomorrow but for the rather high cost.Written 27 November 2023
- Mick G0 contributionsAwesome experience and fantastic day!Awesome experience with a great and enthusiastic guide, with a sound knowledge of local culture and history. Was a fantastic day on the water. Thx Nathan!Written 24 November 2023
- Marleen H0 contributionsGreatIt was super! Great guidance and we liked Max, he explained everything we feel blessed! The hot chocolate was good we enjoyed it!Written 18 October 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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5.0
539 reviews
Excellent
516
Very good
17
Average
2
Poor
2
Terrible
2
Novacastrian
1 contribution
Jan 2020
Tour was fabulous. Met the team on the beach where all the gear was set out and ready to go. Intro from Louie the tour guide and a quick and relaxed run down on the kayak and gear. Into the kayak and Louie pushed us off from the beach and we were away. Kayaks were very stable and easy to paddle. Only 4 kayaks and Louie on the tour. We stopped several times paddling out and Louie gave some history and facts from the local area. Very informative. A word about Louie - he was just about the most relaxed fella I’ve ever met! But also very passionate about the local area and conservation.
We paddled out to an island, took about 45 min, and paddled thru a sea cave. Then on to Cathedral Cove where we landed on the beach. We had about 30 mins there to explore and swim, while Louie made fresh coffee and tea. Back into the kayaks and on to Stingray bay. More history and stories from Louie on the way.
A final paddle and we were back at Ha Hei beach.
We have no experience in kayaks and found balancing and paddling very easy. And not strenuous at all, quite relaxing in fact.
Would highly recommend this tour, and I will definitely be back to do a full day tour.
We paddled out to an island, took about 45 min, and paddled thru a sea cave. Then on to Cathedral Cove where we landed on the beach. We had about 30 mins there to explore and swim, while Louie made fresh coffee and tea. Back into the kayaks and on to Stingray bay. More history and stories from Louie on the way.
A final paddle and we were back at Ha Hei beach.
We have no experience in kayaks and found balancing and paddling very easy. And not strenuous at all, quite relaxing in fact.
Would highly recommend this tour, and I will definitely be back to do a full day tour.
Written 2 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What a great review, thanks for sharing. I'll be sure to let Lui know you had a great time, he'll be delighted. Thanks again for kayaking with us!
Written 6 January 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Charlotte
5 contributions
Feb 2023 • Couples
10/10 recommend :) We booked the Cathedral Cove Morning Tour spontaneously 2 hours prior to departure online, it went very smoothly. They took their time to explain everything you need to know about kayaking and after 15 minutes, we went into the water with another couple and our very friendly guide. Went around a couple of islands and he explained what was special about the marine reserve. Saw a penguin and a sting ray, went to Cathedral Cove beach and had a lovely break with awesome Mocchachino, and paddled back to Hahei beach. The water was smooth and peaceful in the morning and it was not busy with boats and not too hot, so we defintely recommend this time of the day. We also found it the nicest way to explore the area around Hahei. 3 hours of paddeling were easily managable for someone who has an average consitution. Thank you for the unique experience!
Written 8 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What an awesome review, thank you Charlotte. Glad you had a great time!
Written 8 February 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Elizabeth
Guildford, UK5 contributions
Jan 2020 • Solo
This was really worth waking up early (5am!) in the morning for. The sunrise was beautiful and our kayak guide Briar was lovely and really informative about the natural surroundings. The Cove was nice and quiet at this time in the morning and Briar made some of the best hot choc I’ve had, to enjoy on the beach
Written 11 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Well done getting up early for the Sunrise Tour! I agree it is totally worth it, such an amazing time of day to be on the water. Thanks again for kayaking with us!
Written 12 January 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Chris H
Canberra, Australia4 contributions
Jan 2020
A most enjoyable activity for a family with teens. We did the mid-day tour, and were paired with another family of four, and accompanied by a knowledgeable and friendly guide, Max. Max helped us with safety equipment and basic technique and provided commentary on the history and features of the area. We paddled across beautifully clear waters on a lovely summer's afternoon; the weather was just right. Cathedral Cover was busy with other tourists (the early morning tour might avoid this) but was still a scenic spot to savour. Max also made a very good coffee (or tea, or hot chocolate) for each of our party, and we all got some exercise as we experienced sea kayaking in Mercury Bay
Written 11 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks Chris, I'll be sure to pass your comments on to Max, he will be delighted to hear you had such a good time. Thanks again for kayaking with us!
Written 12 January 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
WorldTravla7
Cairns, Australia8,585 contributions
It was a fantastic day out on the water with Hayden & the Cathedral Cove Kayaks team. Everything was professional & well done - the water craftsmanship of the team (Hayden has done the tours for 14 yrs and was especially impressive given we had choppy seas with waves to navigate on the way in and out which he took care of like a pro), the commentary on the geology, history and links to Māori culture of Cathedral Cove/Hahei/Stingray Bay Area, the cappuccinos on the beach, the action photos taken of us on the water (loaded to the Facebook site that night) as well as attention to everyone’s comfort (it was a chilly morning so I was offered thermals to put on and we had special water skirts which seal around the kayak to stop water from getting in).
We got close to half an hour on the beach at Cathedral Cove to marvel at the natural archway, pinnacle rock formations & the towering waterfall right on the beach. I also enjoyed chatting with Connor, my canoe buddy from the South Island who was on his first day of doing 2 weeks work experience with the company & who had done good local insights.
We spend a good 2 hrs on the water starting from Hahei Beach, then circling the majestic Motukorure Island before heading into Cathedral Cove kayaking under a small natural arch through one of the small islands on the way.
The tour was a lot of fun, offered excellent exercise, with great people & conversation.Of course the scenery was amazing (100% worth it even on a cloudy day) and I’d recommend the tour to anyone. Note the your may cancel if it’s stormy/rainy weather, but you can cancel or reschedule (I was able to lock in for the next morning after the prior day cancelled due to bad weather).
We got close to half an hour on the beach at Cathedral Cove to marvel at the natural archway, pinnacle rock formations & the towering waterfall right on the beach. I also enjoyed chatting with Connor, my canoe buddy from the South Island who was on his first day of doing 2 weeks work experience with the company & who had done good local insights.
We spend a good 2 hrs on the water starting from Hahei Beach, then circling the majestic Motukorure Island before heading into Cathedral Cove kayaking under a small natural arch through one of the small islands on the way.
The tour was a lot of fun, offered excellent exercise, with great people & conversation.Of course the scenery was amazing (100% worth it even on a cloudy day) and I’d recommend the tour to anyone. Note the your may cancel if it’s stormy/rainy weather, but you can cancel or reschedule (I was able to lock in for the next morning after the prior day cancelled due to bad weather).
Written 4 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for reviewing your kayaking experience. I know how much travellers appreciate quality feedback so your comments are much appreciated. Thanks again for kayaking with us, glad you had a great time!
Written 6 October 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
dearna s
Lower Hutt, New Zealand12 contributions
Jan 2020 • Friends
A great day out with Harry, we thoroughly enjoyed being on the water and hearing all the old stories of the area. Beautiful coffee and hot chocolates made on the beach of cathedral cove, would definatley do this again. Great value for money. Thank you Harry!
Written 1 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What a great review, thank you. Harry will be delighted to hear you had such a good time, I'll be sure to share your comments with our whole team at our next staff meeting. Thank again for kayaking with us!
Written 1 February 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Eliana E
1 contribution
Jan 2020
Woke up at the crack of a dawn for a sunrise tour. Ash was an amazing guide - gave us all the safety instructions, helped us get out on the waves, and gave us some history and information throughout.
The tour felt like a good few hours. We didn't kayak too hard but went a good ways, relaxed at a few spots, and had a blast out at Cathedral Cove taking pictures and going for a quick dip. While we didn't see much wild life, being out on the water during sunrise was well worth it.
Your guide will take pictures throughout and post them to Facebook, so you don't need to worry much about taking your own.
The highlight might have been the coffee break at Cathedral Cove! Somehow Ash managed to pack an entire cafe in a small box for a wonderful little surprise coffee when we got out.
Go kayaking! Enjoyable for all ages.
The tour felt like a good few hours. We didn't kayak too hard but went a good ways, relaxed at a few spots, and had a blast out at Cathedral Cove taking pictures and going for a quick dip. While we didn't see much wild life, being out on the water during sunrise was well worth it.
Your guide will take pictures throughout and post them to Facebook, so you don't need to worry much about taking your own.
The highlight might have been the coffee break at Cathedral Cove! Somehow Ash managed to pack an entire cafe in a small box for a wonderful little surprise coffee when we got out.
Go kayaking! Enjoyable for all ages.
Written 31 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What a great review, thank you for taking the time to share your experience. I'll be sure to pass your comments on to Ash, he'll be very happy to hear you had such a good time. Thanks again for kayaking with us!
Written 1 February 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Ziva W
Madison38 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
We spent two hours kayaking from Hahei beach to the Cathedral cove and back. On the way we stopped in two other coves that can only be accessed by Kayak. We saw fish and rays and astonishing cliffs and rock formations. Our guide, Andy was engaging and enthusiastic. He made us hot chocolate and coffee during the 45 minutes we spent on the beach at Cathedral cove. He made us feel safe and comfortable the whole trip, even those that were kayaking for the first time.
Written 12 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your comments, I'll be sure to let Andy know you had a great time kayaking with him. Thanks again for kayaking with us!
Written 13 February 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lucy
Perth, Australia4 contributions
Jan 2024 • Couples
We had booked our tour three months in advance, and the night before was cancelled due to bad weather. Having come from another country and planning our itinerary around the date, this was quite frustrating and were waitlisted for other tours but after discussion we were finally able to be squeezed onto a tour that we could actually do. Views were amazing and conditions were beautiful, with the guides even commenting on the water clarity. Guide was informative and pointed out marine life throughout the tour, with yummy snacks and tea and coffee upon arrival at the beach near the cove. Major downfall of the tour was the amount of time spent on the lesser known side, and only about a 10 second stop at the famous side of the cove, leaving us with not enough time to take in the cove itself, and then got left behind by the group and guide as we were trying to appreciate the view we had paid so much to see. We dont understand why we landed on this side, as earlier in the day we undertook another tour in which we say many kayaks had landed on the famous side and got to experience this where as we hadn't.
Written 12 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for your email, great to hear you enjoyed the trip.
It is difficult working around the weather but when it is unsafe to operate we have no choice but to cancel tours. You joined us in the busiest week of the year when most sessions are fully booked. It is unfortunate but if a session gets cancelled due to weather, there isn't much room to reschedule at that time of the year. That said, I am happy to hear our team made it work for you (others were not so lucky).
There is a good reason why we stop where we do at Cathedral Cove, safety. The side you wanted to stop at has the most risk of further landslide with potentially unstable cliffs above. The Department of Conservation advise people don't go within 10m of these cliffs at all times, it is almost impossible to do that at high tide on that side. The side we stop at is deemed to much safer with much more beach space. It also means you can get the famous photo that everyone wants looking through the archway at Te Hoho rock. I apologise if all this wasn't made clear to you on the day, I'll remind our team to make it clear in future.
I'd be grateful if you could consider adjusting your review. Three stars suggests an average experience and it sounds like it was a lot better than that. Thank you
Written 12 January 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Tanya C
Auckland, New Zealand45 contributions
Dec 2019
We've been to Cathedral Cove on foot, and seen it in the distance by boat, but this was so unique. We set off in time to see the sun rise at Hahei, then paddled (very comfortably, stable well equipped) around the various little bays and rocky areas to reach Cathedral cove where we landed on the beach and were treated to hot coffee and cookies! The tour was around 3 hours, and we had time to wander on the beach take photos and be photographed before paddling at a good pace (suitable for all abilities) back to Hahei. Thanks to the team it was thoroughly enjoyable
Written 2 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your kind words Tanya, glad to hear you had such a good time on the water with our team. Thanks again for kayaking with us!
Written 2 January 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Is it suitable for beginners? Especially for someone trying kayaking for the first time
Written 24 January 2024
Yes, no experience needed and is easy to do as long as you have a minimal level of fitness
Written 19 February 2024
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
