Coromandel Coast: Coves, Caves & Hot Sand
- Duration
- About 11–12 hours
- Suggested pickup
- 7:00 am from central Auckland hotels. Pickup time may shift with the tide.
- Ideal for
- Beach lovers, photographers, active couples, families and summer visitors. The walk needs moderate fitness, as it has steps and steep sections.
Turquoise water, a great stone arch and a hot pool you dig yourself, timed to the tide.
The Coromandel Peninsula is where Aucklanders escape to, and once you've seen it you'll understand why. Your private day winds over the ranges to Hahei, a small seaside village on the edge of the marine reserve. Weather permitting, a local skipper takes you out among sea caves, pōhutukawa-clad headlands and sculpted islands. Then you'll walk the coastal track to Mautohe Cathedral Cove, where a soaring natural archway frames two perfect beaches and the famous Te Hoho rock. After a relaxed seaside lunch, we head to Hot Water Beach at just the right moment in the tide. Spades, towels and beach chairs are ready, so all you need to do is dig into the sand and watch warm water bubble up to fill your own private spa. It's playful, a little bit wild and completely Kiwi. Then it's back over the hills to Auckland, salty, sun-warmed and very content.
Sample itinerary (times approximate; the order changes with the tide)
- 7:00 amPickup from your Auckland accommodation
- 8:45 amCoffee stop at the foot of the Coromandel
- 9:45 amArrive in Hahei
- 10:00 amOptional boat trip through the marine reserve (about 1 hour, weather permitting)
- 11:15 amDrop-off at the Grange Road track entrance. Walk to Cathedral Cove, enjoy the beach and walk back (about 1.5–2 hours)
- 1:15 pmSeaside lunch
- 2:30 pmHot Water Beach: dig and soak (we plan this within about 2 hours of low tide)
- 4:00 pmDepart for Auckland
- 6:45 pmReturn to your accommodation
When low tide falls in the morning, we start with Hot Water Beach and finish at Cathedral Cove. We plan every Coromandel day around that date's tide table.
Inclusions and exclusions
Included: Standard inclusions, plus the boat trip (when it runs), lunch, Hot Water Beach spades, beach towels and chairs, and a picnic-style afternoon refreshment (details confirmed in your quote).
Not included: Standard exclusions, plus kayaking or other extra activities and drinks with lunch.
Standard inclusions
- A comfortable, air-conditioned premium vehicle chosen to suit your group, used only by your party
- Your own guide-host for the whole day
- Door-to-door pickup and return in central Auckland (hotels, apartments, cruise terminal)
- Chilled water, good coffee stops and a few locally made treats on board
- Flexible pacing: we can linger, skip a stop or change the order
Standard exclusions
- Drinks with lunch (unless stated)
- Optional extras and upgrades not listed as included
- Personal purchases and souvenirs
- Gratuities (always optional, never expected)
- Travel insurance
- Airport or out-of-zone pickups (quoted on request)
Price
Tailored to you. Price on request.
Every day is planned around your group, dates and wishes, so we quote each tour individually, in New Zealand dollars. Tell us who is travelling and when, and we'll reply personally with a clear, itemised quote, usually within 24 hours.
Let's plan your day.
Tell us when you're visiting, who's travelling and what you love. We'll come back to you personally with ideas and a clear quote, usually within 24 hours.
Request a quote
