Tours depart from Tairua Marina, with pickup also available from Pauanui for guests staying on that side of the harbour. Let us know your accommodation location when booking so we can confirm the best pickup point. In Pauanui, pick up location will be Royal Billy Point, and we usually get there 3-5min after the scheduled tour start time.

Yes, pickup from Pauanui is available in addition to the standard Tairua Marina departure. Mention your accommodation location at the time of booking so this can be arranged. In Pauanui, pick up location will be Royal Billy Point, and we usually get there 3-5min after the scheduled tour start time.

Arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled departure to check in, collect your life jacket, and get settled. Tours depart on time to keep the day running smoothly for all guests.

Coromandel Ocean Adventures tours are weather-dependent, we will make the call on suitability using local knowledge of the coastline and conditions. If a tour is cancelled for weather, you'll be offered a rebooking on a suitable date or a refund.

Yes, bookings can be changed or cancelled until 24hours from departure, though be aware, availability may be limited. Get in touch directly through the website or your booking confirmation details to arrange a change.

As above, you can change or cancel your booking within 24 hours of your scheduled departure time (subject to availability). If we cancel due to weather, insufficient passenger numbers, or for another reason, you will be offered an alternative booking time, or fully refunded.

Booking is completed online at the time of reservation. If you have specific payment questions for your booking, contact Coromandel Ocean Adventures directly before confirming.

Tairua Marina has nearby public parking suitable for guests arriving by car for their tour. Arrive with enough time before departure to park and walk to the check-in point

The Cathedral Cove Special is a full 2 hour scenic tour of the surrounding coastline with a stop in the water near the cove where you can swim, snorkel or relax on the boat. Cathedral Cove Water Taxi is the only boat with a license to drop customers onto the beach, it is drop-off-and-pickup transfer as opposed to a guided experience. Guests get local commentary and a wider coastal experience with Coromandel Ocean Adventures that a straight water taxi trip doesn't include.

Both experiences are unique in their own way and absolutely worth doing on a first trip to The Coromandel Peninsula. Cathedral Cove is a famous landmark as featured in movie scenes like Narnia, whereas The Aldermen Islands is a true hidden gem of New Zealand rich in marine life, interesting geology and stunning water for swimming and snorkelling

If you only have half a day in Tairua we would recommend the Aldermen Islands Tour as it is unique to Tairua

Yes, many guests combine tours across their stay - for example the Cathedral Cove Special in the morning and the Aldermen Islands Tour in the afternoon. Or you could do one experience on one day and another the following day. Book each tour separately online for the dates that suit your itinerary.

Coromandel Ocean Adventures operates out of Tairua Marina with pickup also available from Pauanui; guests based in Whitianga or Hahei typically drive to Tairua to join a tour.

Both work well, since Coromandel Ocean Adventures offers pickup from either Tairua Marina or Pauanui. Tairua is the departure point itself, so staying there cuts down on travel time before check-in.

Yes, snorkelling gear is provided as standard on all Coromandel Ocean Adventures tours at no extra cost. Whether you get a chance to use it depends on the specific tour and conditions on the day.

Bring sun protection (hat, sunscreen, sunglasses), a light jacket for sea breeze, togs and a towel if you plan to snorkel, and a fully charged phone or camera for photos. Life jackets, first aid, and snorkelling gear are all provided.

The tours operate on relatively sheltered Coromandel coastal waters, but as with any boat trip, conditions vary and motion sensitivity differs person to person. If you're prone to seasickness, preventative medication before departure and choosing a calmer-weather day are sensible precautions.

There's no strict minimum age stated, and tours are generally suitable for families, though the longer or more exposed trips (like the Aldermen Islands Tour) are better suited to older children who can sit for longer periods. Get in touch if you have questions about a specific age or the needs of your group.

Accessibility depends on the specific boat and tour, and guests with mobility needs should contact Coromandel Ocean Adventures directly before booking to check suitability. This lets Richie and Hayden confirm the boarding process at Tairua Marina works for your situation.

Guests commonly see native seabirds and marine life along the Coromandel coastline and around the Aldermen Islands/Ruamaahu Nature Reserve, an area with limited human access due to its protected status. Exact sightings vary by season and by day, as with any wildlife encounter at sea. Several species of dolphin, seals, sharks, whales, manta ray, and fish are all a high possibility!

Coromandel Ocean Adventures is the only operators running tours to the Aldermen Islands (Ruamaahu Nature Reserve), and most of the tours are run personally by co-founders Richie and Hayden, along with some seriously cool and carefully chosen team members that know the coastline as well as us (or better). That combination of exclusive access and hands-on local ownership is genuinely unique.