Our most recommended things to do in Coromandel Peninsula

Whitianga: Cathedral Cove 2 Hour Boat Cruise

1. Whitianga: Cathedral Cove 2 Hour Boat Cruise

Based in Whitianga, this scenic boat cruise showcases Mercury Bay’s stunning coastal paradise at its very best. Embark on a 2-hour journey across the rugged volcanic shores of the bay and explore its beautiful beaches including Hahei and Lonely Bay. The highlight of the tour is the world-famous Cathedral Cove at Te Whanganui a Hei Marine Reserve. The site has a rich Maori heritage, attracts around 150,000 visitors per year, and was used as a filming location for the blockbuster movie Narnia. Sit back and relax as you sail around the bay, and marvel at its stunning natural landscapes that stretch across the peninsula. Along the way, listen to your guide share entertaining live commentary about the bay and the wildlife that lives here. Make sure to keep an eye on the water too, as there's always a chance to see dolphins, whales and orcas in their natural habitat.

Whitianga: Sailing Trip to Cathedral Cove

2. Whitianga: Sailing Trip to Cathedral Cove

Embark on a sailing trip from Flaxmill Bay, a small cove nestled between Cooks Beach and Whitianga to see the iconic sights of Mercury Bay and Cathedral Cove. Lend a hand with the sailing or simply sit back and relax on comfy beanbags and admire the picturesque scenery.  Board our large, modern catamaran, and after a short introductory session to the boat's main facilities and safety systems, set sail out to the calm waters of the bay.  As you sail, spot the area's most notable sights with the help of your guide. Keep your cameras ready as you sail past Cathedral Cove. You will enjoy some snacks and drinks during the journey.  Once the boat sets anchor, if conditions are good, choose to swim or snorkel in the marine reserve with the wonderful sea life, or simply chill out on board and soak up the scenery.  The tour concludes back at the starting point in Flaxmill Bay. 

Whangamata: Donut Island Guided Kayaking Experience

3. Whangamata: Donut Island Guided Kayaking Experience

Embark on a short kayaking tour to Donut Island, an area which is beginning to assume iconic status alongside other regional attractions in the Coromandel. The stunning Donut Island is one of a group of islands off the coast of Whangamata which have wildlife sanctuary status. As Guardians of the islands, this tour encourages you to treat the islands with respect to preserve their future. Because of the island’s geography, access is limited due to swell and wind conditions, and only kayaks or paddleboards can squeeze through the narrow entrance. The island is a wildlife sanctuary and opens up into a beautiful lagoon which is rather out of this world. Join the experienced team on an adventure that takes you 600m off the coast of Whangamata Beach, to a secluded turquoise lagoon surrounded by native fauna and volcanic cliff rock.

Whitianga: Cathedral Cove, Small Caves & Snorkel Boat Trip

4. Whitianga: Cathedral Cove, Small Caves & Snorkel Boat Trip

Discover the scenic Cathedral Cove and smaller caves on this boat trip from Whitianga. Experience the thrill of small, hard-to-get-to caves and discover magnificent offshore views. See New Zealand's 2nd largest sea cave, and get up close to aquatic life in the marine reserve. Leaving Whitianga Wharf, stop to view Shakespeare's Cliff, and pass the stunning Lonely before exploring inside Cooks Beach Blowhole and gazing out through the top. Be amazed at the panoramic scenery at Cathedral Cove. Head south, getting close along the coastline in and out of bays, caves, and blowholes. Take in the mesmerizing volcanic landscape of towering pinnacles and rock sculptures. Marvel at the size of New Zealand's 2nd largest sea cave "Orua" before visiting offshore islands with more caves. Have the option to snorkel and witness sea life in the marine reserve before heading back to Whitianga.

Waimangu Volcanic Valley Morning Tour

5. Waimangu Volcanic Valley Morning Tour

Discover Rotorua’s most natural and popular geothermal parks: Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland and Waimangu Volcanic Valley. Join a small-group morning tour for a more personal experience led by a local knowledgeable guide. You will be picked up from your Rotorua city accommodation between 8AM and 8:30 AM. Enjoy a scenic drive through forestry and farmland before arriving at New Zealand's largest boiling mud pool. Explore Waiotapu's amazing colourful hot-springs and thermal landscape on a 1hr guided walk then experience the dancing Lady Knox geyser eruption at 10.15am. Your next stop will be the Waimangu Volcanic Rift Valley. Your guide will explain the 1886 Mt Tarawera eruption which blew open this spectacular regenerated bush-covered geothermal park. 1hr guided walk around huge active hot-springs and thermal features. Pause at the Waimangu Volcanic Valley Cafe for lunch at 12:00 PM before being dropped back to your accommodation/city between 12:30 PM to 1:00 PM.

From Tauranga: Skydive over Mount Maunganui

6. From Tauranga: Skydive over Mount Maunganui

Start your adventure with a flight capturing the breathtaking views of Mount Maunganui and its golden beaches expanding as far as the eye can see. Higher up, you'll be able to see White Island, Mount Ruapehu, the Rotorua Lakes, The Coromandel, and Mount Taranaki. The flight will last 20-25 minutes, so there is plenty of time to take it all in. Once at 12,000 or 15,000 feet in the sky, jump out of the plane on a tandem skydive, falling to the earth at over 200km/hour. After some time to feel the adrenaline as you freefall, enjoy a peaceful parachute ride back to base.

Napier: Cape Coast Winery Cycle Ride - E-Bike or Std-Bike

7. Napier: Cape Coast Winery Cycle Ride - E-Bike or Std-Bike

Make your way to meet your host at the shop in Ahuriri, Napier to pick up the shuttle. The shuttle will take you and your bikes to the start of your cycling adventure at Black Barn winery. Te Mata Estate and Askerne Wineries are very close by, so you can start your wine tasting right from drop off. With your first winery visits under your belt, an option is to take a detour for a further 3 kilometers to reach Craggy vineyard and see for yourself why the winery was voted Best Winery in Australia. From here, get back on track and enjoy a 16-kilometer bike ride on the limestone cycle trail following the Tuki Tuki River, to the coastal communities of Haumoana and Te Awanga. Admire stunning views of the iconic Cape Kidnappers as you cycle the raised stop-bank trail and look out over orchards, vineyards and farmlands. Reaching the coast, be ready to taste some more fine wine at Elephant Hill, Clearview Estate, and Te Awanga Estate. If a local lunch is on your wish-list, your host will also be happy to assist with reservations at Clearview Estate. Te Awanga also offer the best pizzas in Hawke’s Bay and you can sit outside on their green lawn. At the end of the day, you will be collected and transferred back to Ahuriri, Napier.

From Whitianga: Cathedral Cove Marine Reserve Cruise & Swim

8. From Whitianga: Cathedral Cove Marine Reserve Cruise & Swim

Relax & enjoy Shakespeare’s Cliff, Lonely Bay & Cathedral Cove on an open boat with unrestricted stunning views. Experience the thrill of going inside Cooks Blowhole, Whale Cave and our very own “Hole in the Rock”. Regularly going to the places seen in online videos & pictures, venture inside caves others cannot take you! View fish in the Marine Reserve. Learn the history of the area and be amazed by the volcanic formations throughout the Bay. You won’t be disappointed with Coromandel’s fantastic coastline as we go down to the Orua Sea Cave where you will be taken inside the cave and hear the amazing acoustics as we play music.

Picton: Marlborough Wineries & Hotspots Hop-on Hop-off Tour

9. Picton: Marlborough Wineries & Hotspots Hop-on Hop-off Tour

Enjoy the flexibility of exploring Marlborough at your own pace without the stress of wondering where to go. Spend more time exploring with the conveniently organized transportation of this hop-on hop-off tour.  Sit back and relax on a comfortable coach as your knowledgeable driver prepares you with all the information needed for a fantastic day out.  Visit popular attractions and local gems in Marlborough, including museums, breweries, restaurants, activity centers, shopping areas, and of course, some of the best breweries and wineries in the region.  Jump on and off as you please, visiting as many destinations as you like and choosing your duration of stay at each spot.

Rotorua: Waikite Valley Hotpools Geothermal Bathing

10. Rotorua: Waikite Valley Hotpools Geothermal Bathing

Enter a state of total relaxation whilst taking a geothermal bath at Rotorua's Waikite Valley. Bathe in the mineral water for a calming outing amongst a scenic setting. Witness Rotorua's Waikite Valley Hot Pools which are a natural thermal bathing complex. Immerse yourself in water that comes straight out of the Te Manaroa natural boiling spring and cooled before entering the pools for you to enjoy. Enjoy 100% natural thermal water which is not treated with any chemicals whatsoever nor is it filtered or recycled back into the pools. The ‘Living Waters’ of Waikite Valley is the only thermal pool complex of this size in New Zealand using only 100% pure natural geothermal water.

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What people are saying about Coromandel Peninsula

Overall rating

4.9 / 5

based on 292 reviews

Was absolutely incredible! Cannot recommend this enough! One of the best experiences of my life!!! Way better than all the other boats that go out. (Bonus that they go out a lot futher too, so you get to see way more!) I was screaming like a little girl when we first went out but it was so thrilling after my husband told me to open my eyes haha! Then I didnt want it to stop!! Captain was amazing, full of knowledge. We will 100% do this again when we go back to Coromandal! Thank you for a fantastic experience!

great ride awesome views and outstanding people, the communication was nothing short of excellent even receiving photo`s from Justin the following day, great stuff highly recommend

Exceeded expectations 1000%! Awesome skipper so informative , great interaction, incredible experience . Cannot recommend highly enough .. for the thrill seekers .

Our boat trip was expertly guided by local Liam. His expertise and knowledge was excellent.

Amazing, just the best! Brian was a brilliant guide, full of information. Thank you