Water Tours
2 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Recommended by 100% of travellers
100% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
$150
per adult
Ocean Leopard Tours
Ocean Leopard Tours
5
7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Monday
7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Tuesday
7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Wednesday
7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Thursday
7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Friday
7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Saturday
7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Sunday
7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Full view
About
Explore one of New Zealand’s most breath-taking stretches of coast with the exhilarating and award winning Ocean Leopard Tours. On the 2 hour Full Monty Tour you will cruise 12 km of rugged volcanic coastline visiting nearby islands, stunning beaches, including Lonely Bay, Cooks Beach, Hahei and the spectacular Cathedral Cove where Prince Caspian (Chronicles of Narnia) was filmed. Venture across the Te Whanganui-A-Hei Marine Reserve where you’ll observe an abundance of marine and bird life. Get up close and personal with towering pinnacles, giant blowholes and huge sea caves including Orua Sea Cave, one of the largest in NZ and only accessible by boat. Throughout the tour your local guide will highlight Mercury Bay’s rich and colourful history giving a fabulous balance of information and time to soak up the sights and sounds.
Tours and Tickets by Ocean Leopard Tours
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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5.0
1,141 reviews
Excellent
1,087
Very good
51
Average
1
Poor
1
Terrible
1
Joel G
1 contribution
Jan 2020 • Family
Our family had a great experience with Ocean Leopard, good communication, highly experienced guide, thoughtful in respect to allowing both sides of boat to capture the many great viewpoints on the trip. Snorkeling also great with Snapper, Kawhai and Leather Jackets all easy to spot in the marine reserve. Best boat too.
Written 3 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.
Tracy M
Brisbane, Australia2 contributions
Feb 2020
From greeting our skipper Tas, to returning to Whitianga wharf, we felt safe.
Tas is arguably one of the best skippers I’ve been on a small boat with.
The seagoing vessel was vey comfortable and we had excellent shade. There were also clear dropdown waterproof blinds should it get too wet.
We were blessed with good sea conditions and came up very close to stunning caves, blowholes and sea cliff faces. The words are inadequate to describe an amazing 2 hours.
Excellent value for money, and a 10 minute swim was enjoyed with a school of local, well-fed snapper.
Tas is arguably one of the best skippers I’ve been on a small boat with.
The seagoing vessel was vey comfortable and we had excellent shade. There were also clear dropdown waterproof blinds should it get too wet.
We were blessed with good sea conditions and came up very close to stunning caves, blowholes and sea cliff faces. The words are inadequate to describe an amazing 2 hours.
Excellent value for money, and a 10 minute swim was enjoyed with a school of local, well-fed snapper.
Written 19 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.
KKofA
Austin, TX38 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
We have been in New Zealand for 3 weeks, exploring the south and north islands, and this boat trip rates amongst our favorite experiences.
We are avid hikers and explorers and yet, without having done this boat trip, we never would’ve had the opportunity to see the astonishing geology of the rock formations and coastline we witnessed from the boat.
Our skipper’s prowess at navigating tight spaces enabled us to get up close to caves, and on one occasion, enter New Zealand’s 2nd largest cave, enabling us to enjoy the full experience.
Justin explained the geology and history of the rock formations as well as some of the latest commercial developments in this area. We found him to be engaging, attempting to answer all our questions to the best of his ability, and his laid back, easy manner made us feel comfortable and able to enjoy this wonderful experience. Even though I brought my own windbreaker, Justin quickly offered me the use of one of theirs as he noticed that I was sensitive to the windchill.
This would’ve been a huge regret had we not done this excursion, knowing what we now had the privilege to experience.
We are avid hikers and explorers and yet, without having done this boat trip, we never would’ve had the opportunity to see the astonishing geology of the rock formations and coastline we witnessed from the boat.
Our skipper’s prowess at navigating tight spaces enabled us to get up close to caves, and on one occasion, enter New Zealand’s 2nd largest cave, enabling us to enjoy the full experience.
Justin explained the geology and history of the rock formations as well as some of the latest commercial developments in this area. We found him to be engaging, attempting to answer all our questions to the best of his ability, and his laid back, easy manner made us feel comfortable and able to enjoy this wonderful experience. Even though I brought my own windbreaker, Justin quickly offered me the use of one of theirs as he noticed that I was sensitive to the windchill.
This would’ve been a huge regret had we not done this excursion, knowing what we now had the privilege to experience.
Written 23 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.
Esther H
Auckland, New Zealand13 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
Thanks so much to Taz for an amazing day and the team for making the booking process easy. Great value. We ranged in aged from 10-61 and everyone was entertained. Taz was fantastic with the kids, encouraging them into the water and showing them the fish and marine life, engaging in such a way that they felt confodent to head into the water with him alone - coming out with a local ‘delicacy’ for all to try!
Comfortable boat with fun commentary.
Make sure you try this when you visit the Coromandel - or make it your reason for going! Pictures to follow!
Comfortable boat with fun commentary.
Make sure you try this when you visit the Coromandel - or make it your reason for going! Pictures to follow!
Written 9 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.
Steve A
Palmerston North, New Zealand38 contributions
Jul 2020 • Family
I’ve dived and fished this coast off and in for 30 years but the trip out with Justin have a different perspective on a magical coast. Starting with a dolphin pod visit we then worked out way down the coast exploring parts of the coast you often go past. Huston gave a well balanced spiel of these interesting places and took us into areas I’ve never known existed. As well as the obvious. A good value trip and strongly recommended for those new or relatively familiar with the coast.
Written 14 July 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.
Cody V
2 contributions
Oct 2021 • Couples
I cannot recommend this tour enough. We had a beautiful morning on the water being shown some of New Zealand’s best coastal views. Justin is incredible at what he does, educating us about the marine life and some of the history of the area. I’ll most definitely be back.
Written 3 October 2021
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.
Hi Cody,
wow, thank you so much for your kind words and recommendation!!
We would love to get you out on the water again sometime soon just let us know. I'm so pleased you enjoyed the tour.
Cheers, Justin
Written 17 October 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Sharon B
Kew East, Australia3 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
Cathedral Cove, Shakespear & Nania Dragon rocks, and the special huge boat drive-in cave. Just some of the wonderful attractions we went saw over two hours directed by our skipper Justin. Watching the plentiful snapper swimming close to our boat was also gr8 for videoing. Great time and would definitely recommend to others.
Written 15 March 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.
Michael2810
Hampton, Australia1,194 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
A terrific experience. We chose Sea Leopard Tours because we were able to see the boats from different tour companies at the wharf. Sea Leopard tours easily had the most comfortable looking boat. We were not disappointed. Liam was a terrific tour guide and boat driver. It is clear he knows the area as only someone who has grown up in the area can. A worthwhile way to spend a couple of hours.
Written 2 April 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.
Dorothy Y
1 contribution
Feb 2020
Taz was so clear and interesting, knowledgeable and willing to take time at each location. The boat trip itself was an experience and we had total confidence in Taz, even when we were manoeuvred into caves and blow holes:it all felt special. His knowledge of fish and geology was truly impressive, and his commentary on features of local interest was entertaining, including the myth he tried to perpetrate when younger. He gave us some advice about where to find a lonely beach and great place to eat, and we followed that advice this evening. Thank you !!!!! Cannot be recommended too highly.
Written 26 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.
Iman
26 contributions
Dec 2020 • Family
We had an excellent time during the boat trip. Justin, (the boat owner/driver) was very friendly. He was local and very familiar with the area and shared some information with us which we couldn’t get from non-local people. We saw fantastic spots up to hot water beach. We went on a relatively windy day but this trip will be even better in a non-windy day. Highly recommended.
Written 27 December 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.
Hi there, thanks so much for this fantastic review and I appreciate you mentioning that you enjoyed the tour despite some wind. Oftentimes people can be put off by a little wind but this shouldn't be the case as it can still be a great trip.
Thanks again for taking the time to review Ocean Leopard Tours.
Cheers, Justin
Written 8 January 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Do you run in July? what should we expect given the time of year?
Written 21 May 2017
Hi there, thank you for the enquiry. Generally speaking we run all year around. In winter months when weather conditions are less favourable it's best to call us when you arrive in the area and take it from there. Thank you and apologies for the tardy response!
Cheers, Justin
Written 30 May 2017
Hi sarath k,
thank you for your question, it's one we get asked quite a bit. We love animals but I'm afraid on the Ocean Leopard we do not allow pets. This is really out of respect to other customers who may have allergies or phobias.
Thanks again, Justin
Written 18 March 2017
What is the key difference between the 75 minute tour and the two hour tour?
Written 6 February 2017
Thanks Justin.we booked the longer one
Written 6 February 2017
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