The 8 Coromandel and Cathedral Cove Day Trips from Auckland That Are Worth the Drive

1.Cathedral Cove and Coromandel Small Group Tours

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 185 reviews · from $155Our pick

Spend 12 hours exploring the Coromandel from Auckland in a small group with guides such as Aled, Dave, Simon, or Hanoz. Walk to Cathedral Cove, visit Hot Water Beach when tides allow, stop for coastal views, and ride in a modern vehicle with snacks and charging ports.

“I loved it!! we have beautiful weather which helped but our guy Dave was excellent and the day was the right mix of a lot of driving and a lot of walking which was perfect”

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2.Cathedral Cove & Hot Water Beach Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 33 reviews

Travel from Auckland to the Coromandel Peninsula with an English-speaking driver-guide and a group of up to 11. Walk to Cathedral Cove, stop in Hahei, then dig a beach spa at Hot Water Beach when tide and weather allow. Bring sturdy shoes, swimwear, a towel, lunch money, and patience for a long day.

“Fantástica, intensa y muy edificante. El guía estuvo genial y sus explicaciones fueron muy interesantes. Lo mejor fue Cathedral Cove, aunque nos sorprendió gratamente Hot Water Beach.”

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3.Cathedral Cove & Hot Water Beach with Lunch from Auckland

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 22 reviews · from $161Top rated

Leave Auckland with a guide such as Jaime, Aaron, or Doug for a 10 to 12-hour small-group trip through Waikato and the Coromandel. Visit Hahei, soak in Hot Water Beach’s tide-dependent sands, walk to Cathedral Cove, and enjoy a coastal picnic lunch.

“Very relaxed Tour with friendly driver (Jaime), who never pushed us to be fast. So we could fully enjoy the Highlights, as hotwater Beach and the cove, including hiking. He gave us nice explantions and insights into the history of the Region. We always got water and food from him, whenever needed. Very good experience!”

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4.Coromandel Coastal Experience – Small Group Tour from Auckland

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 18 reviews

Travel from Auckland to Cathedral Cove and Hot Water Beach in a temperature-controlled minibus for up to 15 people. Your English-speaking guide handles the driving, shares local context, provides water and Wi-Fi, and supplies shovels for the tide-dependent beach spa.

“We had a great time with Karthik, he was very informative and made our drive comfortable, relaxing and enjoyable! Definitely recommend!”

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5.Coromandel Day Tour From Auckland

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 18 reviews · from $284

Travel from Auckland with a professional guide such as Steve or Warren, ride the quirky Driving Creek Railway, soak at Hot Water Beach, and walk to Cathedral Cove. This 12-hour outing includes transport, entry fees, snacks, WiFi, and a beach spade, but not lunch.

“Incredible tour. Knowledgeable guide. The rest stops had really good food, especially the Cafe. Cathedral cove was definitely all it was cracked up to be and the walk there was delightful. The train ride and pottery stop was quirky but enjoyable. Don't forget to bring slip ons for the hot water beach.”

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6.Cathedral Cove & Coromandel, Small-Group Tour from Auckland

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 14 reviews · from $164

Leave Auckland at 6:30 am for a full-day Coromandel adventure with a maximum of 15 people. Guides such as Pearl and John lead scenic stops, the Cathedral Cove walk, and beach visits at Te Pare, Cooks Beach, or Lonely Bay. Expect snacks, water, hotel pickup at select locations, and a demanding walk.

“Very well organized, the guides Pearl and John were very entertaining and took really good care of us. Cathedral Cove and the beaches around are just amazing. Thanks!”

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7.Coromandel Driving Creek & Cathedral Cove Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 10 reviews · 12 hours · from $298

Travel from Auckland to the Coromandel Peninsula with an English-speaking guide such as Ambrose, ride the handmade Driving Creek Railway, pause in Whitianga, and walk to Cathedral Cove. Hotel pickup, drop-off, and a Cathedral Cove boat ride are included, but meals are not.

“Ambrose my guide on the private tour was amazing. He firstly accommodated me to start the tour an hour later as scheduled, picked me up at the airport and dropped me at my hotel after the day. He was knowledgeable, kind and his advice lead me to have the best of both worlds seeing the Cathedral cove both from sea and land and doing the scenic walk. The driving creek was not your usual train trip. Traveling through the forest and ending with spectacular views were very special. Travelling back on the coast line every turn delivered a next beautiful scene. Even though it was a long day it was…”

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8.Coromandel Day Tour including Hot Water Beach

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 7 reviews · 12 hours · from $274

Travel from Auckland in a Mercedes-Benz van with an English-speaking guide, ride the Driving Creek Railway to Eyefull Tower, dig a hot pool at low tide, and walk to Cathedral Cove. Guides such as Simon, David, Nancy, and John have led departures.

“Simon was the best tour guide and such a good sport. The only day we could do this tour ended up being cold and rainy. When I asked if this was the rainiest the tour has ever ran (fully expecting him to say "no"), he responded that it was. Despite the rainy weather, we had a blast! I didn't know what to expect since there was a lot of driving involved, but Simon gave a great history of New Zealand. On the walk portion to Cathedral Cove, he made sure to point out plants along the way and we learned a lot about silver ferns and Mānuka. The Driving Creek…”

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