Coromandel Adventure and Wildlife Boat Tour to Aldermen Islands
Description
Join the only tour that takes you out to the remote Aldermen Islands Marine Reserve and experience one of New Zealand's most exclusive wildlife adventures. Explore a spectacular chain of volcanic islands that very few people ever have the opportunity to visit. Travel with expert local guides as you search for dolphins, New Zealand fur seals, whales (seasonal), seabirds, and other marine wildlife in this pristine environment. During suitable conditions and seasons, you may also have the opportunity to snorkel in the crystal-clear waters of the marine reserve. This is a truly unique small-group adventure to one of New Zealand's most remote and protected destinations. Join the select few who have experienced the extraordinary Aldermen Islands.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Experience the amazing Coromandel Peninsula
Meet your local guide at Tairua Marina before boarding your purpose built vessel for a unique nature & wildlife experience
Enjoy a short boat trip on your way to The Alderman Islands
Also known as the Vanishing Volcanoes, this unique island chain consists of amazing ryolite domes, sweeping cliff faces stretching hundreds of metres vertically into the air, and is littered with endemic flora and fauna not found anywhere on the mainland. Adding to the mystique of this magical place is the marine life commonly seen in the area. Regarded as one of Aotearoa's finest diving locations, you never know what you might see on one of our tours. Sightings may include whales, dolphins, sharks, turtles and all manner of graceful seabirds.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(19)
We booked this tour without any idea of what an astoundingly beautiful adventure awaited us. We were picked up at the Royal Billy Jetty in Pauanui exactly on time. The boat was comfortable and Richie, one of the owners, was very accommodating and helpful. The sea was a bit rough as we headed out but the sun was shining as we pounded through the waves. Very fun! On the 30 minute boat ride to the island we saw quite a few sea birds. The WOW factor kicked in as we approached the islands. The volcanic rock formations were otherworldly, dotted with caves and sea windows. The crystalline water varied from marine blue to aquamarine. We cruised around several of the islands and even spent a half hour anchored to allow for snorkeling. The Alderman Islands can hold their own against other tours we’ve taken in Milford and Doubtful Sounds and Abel Tasman. And best of all we were the only tour boat! Definitely a hidden gem in this over touristed world.
Hi Jane, Thank you so much for taking the time to share such a wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear you had such a memorable day exploring the Aldermen Islands with us. It's always special to hear that the dramatic volcanic scenery, crystal-clear water and incredible wildlife made such an impression. We'll be sure to pass your kind words on to Richie and the crew—they're passionate about sharing this incredible part of the Coromandel and making every trip relaxed, informative and unforgettable. Thanks again for choosing to spend the day with us. We hope to welcome you back on the water again one day!
The Coromandel area is a must see part of the North Island by boat. The company was delightful and the water was beautiful. Bring swimwear (togs) and a towel because you’ll have a bit of time to jump in. Be prepared for varied weather out on the ocean- a rain jacket and hat are helpful. It can get chilly. The Aldermen are some amazing volcanic islands and the coastline is impressive. You may see a seal, a shark, snapper and other marine life like a penguin or whales. The boat is nicely designed and the captain is very cool. Booking directly helps this small business and the trip was fine for even a young family of three with a 7-year-old. A favorite memory is going in between the towering rock formations to see the volcanic rocks up close.
Hi There, Thank you for your fantastic review! We love hearing that the Aldermen Islands exceeded your expectations. It's a truly special place, and being able to explore its towering volcanic cliffs, hidden coves and abundant marine life with such small groups is something we're incredibly proud to offer. It was our pleasure to have you on board, and we're so pleased you enjoyed the snorkelling, wildlife encounters and the relaxed atmosphere of the day. Thanks again for your recommendation - we hope to see you back in the Coromandel again soon!
Wonderful day. Crew were awesome and we thoroughly enjoyed snorkeling in the small cove we stopped in and the wildlife we saw.
Thank you for your lovely review! We're so happy you enjoyed your adventure with us. Every trip is different, and that's one of the things we love most about exploring the Coromandel. Whether it's dolphins, seabirds, crystal-clear water or spectacular volcanic landscapes, nature always has something special to offer. We'll be sure to share your kind words with Richie. He loves taking the time to make each trip as memorable as possible, so we're delighted those extra moments with the wildlife became a highlight of your visit. We really appreciate your support and hope to welcome you aboard again someday!
Can’t recommend this tour enough. We had a great trip out to Alderman Islands with Ritchie and a great group of fellow passengers. We saw stunning rock formations up close, plus wildlife above and under the ocean. Ritchie was knowledgeable, enthusiastic, safety conscious & generous with his time. Ritchie was in no hurry to wind up the experience, extending the trip significantly so we could spend time with a large pod of dolphins. It was awesome seeing these beautiful creatures up close, an absolute highlight of our trip. We highly recommend Coromandel Ocean Adventures.
Thank you for such an incredible review! We love hearing that you discovered what makes the Aldermen Islands so special. They're one of the Coromandel's true hidden gems, and sharing this remarkable place with visitors is something we never take for granted. We're delighted you enjoyed the scenery, wildlife and relaxed atmosphere on board. Your recommendation means the world to our small, locally owned business and helps more people discover this unique corner of New Zealand. Thanks again for joining us - we hope to see you back on the water next time you're in the Coromandel!
This boat ride was one of a kind, very unique and not the standard cruise to cathedral rock. We even got to snorkel in a beautiful quiet cove. The Captain was friendly, very informative, and accommodating. He was patient and ensured everyone was hearing the information and seeing stuff, the whole family said had the best day, kids wouldn’t stop talking about it.
Hi Amanda, Thank you for such an incredible review! We love hearing that you discovered what makes the Aldermen Islands so special. They're one of the Coromandel's true hidden gems, and sharing this remarkable place with visitors is something we never take for granted. We're delighted you enjoyed the scenery, wildlife and relaxed atmosphere on board. Your recommendation means the world to our small, locally owned business and helps more people discover this unique corner of New Zealand. Thanks again for joining us - we hope to see you back on the water next time you're in the Coromandel!
Great views, Great Snorkeling, water was crystal clear. Lots of fish to see. Wildlife was great. Fabulous boat ride. Definitely a must!
The scenery was absolutely gorgeous, we saw a pod of dolphins, and it was fun being able to snorkel in a protected bay and see all of the interesting fish!
This was a wonderful, very professionally run trip in a beautiful new boat. Interesting information supplied by Hayden. Fun viewing of a seal. My 12 year old grandson was thrilled to meet Hayden from South Sea Spearo and is now inspired to be a marine biologist. We really enjoyed the snorkeling with so many fish I’d never seen before. Highly recommend the trip.
Richard was an amazing and super knowledgeable host. It was a beautiful day out. The skies and water were clear. We stopped off for some snorkelling and it was breath taking. Richard as super accommodating to the rest of the passengers on the boat and I will definitely be back again.
What an amazing experience! From dramatic craggy rock features, colourful caves, incredible water clarity, wildlife galore this tour was epic! Richie our guide was lovely and relaxed, drove the boat like a pro and imparted little gems of information wherever we went. The boat is built to purpose with a comfy cushioned area in the bow, protected seats in the cabin and plenty of room to move around in the stern. Two huge engines at the back were surprisingly quiet so you could still chat easily on the journey out to the islands. The snorkeling was a highlight with some surprisingly big fish to check out. I highly recommend this tour to visitors and locals alike, great value for money and an experience you will never forget.
