Marine Reserve Snorkel Boat

Cathedral Cove Marine Reserve: Snorkeling Boat Trip

★ 4.9 68 reviews

from $94 per person

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Duration: 2 hours
Meeting point: Hahei Beach Road, Hahei
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Run by: Cathedral Cove Dive & Snorkel

Overview

A five minute boat ride from Hahei Beach is all it takes to reach snorkeling spots in the Te Whanganui-o-Hei Marine Reserve that cannot be reached from shore. This two hour trip, run by Cathedral Cove Dive & Snorkel, is the only dedicated snorkel boat tour operating from Hahei, and it begins with a cruise past Cathedral Cove itself for photos before the boat stops at a reef chosen that day. The skippers are qualified PADI instructors, and because sea conditions shift, they pick the best snorkeling location for each trip.

Once anchored, you get roughly an hour in the water with mask, snorkel, fins and a warm full-length wetsuit. The operator says to keep an eye out for snapper, blue maomao, stingrays, eagle rays and reef fish over volcanic reefs and kelp forests; sightings vary. Guides give clear instruction before anyone gets in, so first timers and even non swimmers can take part with flotation aids. Prescription masks are available for those who need them.

The tour suits families with children aged five to twelve, first time snorkelers and visitors who want to see Cathedral Cove from the water rather than the walking track. One practical bonus: the snorkel gear is yours to keep using free of charge for the rest of the day after the trip ends. Hotel pickup is not listed on this booking page, so travellers make their own way to the base at 48 Hahei Beach Road in Hahei.

Clear green water over a rocky reef with kelp fronds and sand patches, sunlight rippling across the seabed below a boat hull.

What's Included

Included

Visit to Cathedral Cove for a photo op on the way to the snorkeling site
Speedboat trip
Snorkel gear (mask, snorkel, and fins)
Warm wetsuits
Good clear instructions from skippers for new snorkelers and beginners
Prescription masks with lenses (if needed)
1-hour snorkeling
Scuba instructor (the boat's captain)
Floating aids
Waterproof dry bags for cellphones and valuables

Itinerary

Meet at Hahei baseCheck in at 48 Hahei Beach Road, Hahei 3591, New Zealand. Bring swimwear; it is the only thing you need to bring.
Boat cruise to reserveA roughly 5 minute speedboat ride from Hahei Beach toward the Te Whanganui-o-Hei Marine Reserve, travelling via Cathedral Cove for a photo stop on the way.
Snorkeling (about 1 hour)The full boat tour runs 2 hours, with about 1 hour of snorkeling over volcanic reef, kelp forest and marine life.
Return to HaheiThe boat returns to 48 Hahei Beach Road. Snorkel gear can be kept free for the rest of the day.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points worth knowing before you book, based on what travellers report back.

Where this tour sits among 5 tours in Sea Caves, Glass-Bottom And Snorkel Boats listed here (from-price per person, USD)

Glass Bottom Boat Cruise$75
Express Caves and Snorkelling Cruise$79.44
Cruise With Snorkeling Stop$84
Marine Reserve Snorkel Boat (this tour)$94
Dive and Snorkel Marine Reserve$95.89

Bring swimwear. Bring only swimwear. Wetsuits, masks, snorkels, fins and flotation aids are all provided, and prescription masks with lenses are available if needed. Waterproof dry bags for phones and valuables are also on the boat.
Non-swimmers welcome. The operator states clearly that non-swimmers can join, with floating aids on all trips and instruction aimed at beginners. One reviewer who could not swim still described it as a nice experience, and another family praised how safe the whole trip felt with a young child aboard.
Fish sightings. Almost every review mentions the fish. Travellers report large schools, rays, and lots of variety around the caves and reefs, with one calling it the best paid activity of their vacation.
Water temperature. Reports vary. One reviewer found the water quite cold even in a wetsuit, while another called it beautifully warm, so conditions likely change through the season. The full-length wetsuits are provided either way.
Fast boat ride. The ride out is by speedboat, and it is part of the experience. If anyone in your group dislikes fast boats, it is worth knowing this in advance. One reviewer described the boat trip as a highlight of their vacation.
Weather dependent. Skippers choose the snorkel site each day based on conditions, and trips can be canceled for wind, swell or sea state. Cancellations by the operator come with a full refund, so keep some flexibility in your Coromandel plans.

Ready To GoCheck availability →

Common issues. The main downside is the weather: the operator can cancel any trip for wind, swell or sea conditions, though you get a full refund when that happens. Hotel pickup is not listed on this booking page, so you need to get yourself to Hahei Beach Road on time. One reviewer who missed the departure was rebooked, but that depends on availability and is not a guarantee. One reviewer also found the water cold even in a wetsuit, though another described it as warm, so it is worth preparing for a chill rather than tropical conditions.

Common Questions

What Is Included In The Price?

The boat trip, a photo stop at Cathedral Cove on the way out, mask, snorkel and fins, a warm full-length wetsuit, flotation aids, prescription masks if needed, waterproof dry bags, and about an hour of snorkeling with instruction from the skipper. The snorkel gear is also free to keep using for the rest of the day after the tour.

Where Does The Tour Start?

At 48 Hahei Beach Road, Hahei 3591, on the Coromandel Peninsula. Hotel pickup is not listed on this booking page, so travellers make their own way to the meeting point. The tour ends back at the same address.

How Long Is The Tour?

Two hours in total, of which about one hour is spent snorkeling. The boat ride to the marine reserve takes roughly five minutes, with a pass by Cathedral Cove for photos on the way.

Can Children Or Non-Swimmers Join?

Yes. The operator describes the trip as family friendly and suited to children aged five to twelve, and non-swimmers are welcome since flotation aids are carried on all trips. One reviewer snorkelled for the first time on this tour and said the guides were very nice about it.

What Is The Cancellation Policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If the operator cancels because of weather, swell, wind or sea conditions, you also receive a full refund.

What Should I Bring?

Swimwear is the only item to bring. Everything else, including wetsuits, snorkel gear and dry bags for valuables, is provided.