Click the link below and it will take you to our Flickr albums. You just need to find the date and time you joined us and the name of your guide.

Cathedral Cove Kayak Photo’s

No sorry, we operate on an exposed stretch of coastline that isn’t suitable for freedom kayak hire most of the time.

Yes you will need to fill in our Individual Risk Disclosure before beginning your trip, once checked in on the beach a guide will give you an iPad to complete the form on.. A copy of our current form is below-

 CATHEDRAL COVE KAYAK TOURS

RISK DISCLOSURE AND WAIVER OF LIABILITY FORM

PARTICIPANT TO COMPLETE

Are you a capable swimmer? (for example can you swim 25metres unaided)

Yes                  No

Do you have any injuries or ailments that could affect your ability to participate in this physical activity?

No

Yes – Please advise

Are you Asthmatic, Epileptic, Diabetic or do you suffer from any Severe allergic reactions?

No

Yes – Please advise

Do you have any other medical condition that may require attention during the activity?

(including issues with sight/ hearing)

 No

Yes – Please advise 

If you are required to carry medication, have you got it with you?

Not applicable

Yes – I have it with me

No – I don’t have it with me

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

Risk Disclosure & Acknowledgement
Sea kayaking is an adventure activity and carries inherent risks, including physical exertion, exposure to weather and sea conditions, capsizing, seasickness, encounters with marine wildlife, injury, illness, property damage, or, in rare cases, serious injury or death.

Natural Hazard Risks
I acknowledge that the trip takes place in a dynamic natural environment where hazards may include changing weather, wind, swell, tides, currents, coastal cliffs, rockfall, submerged hazards, and other water users. These natural hazards are inherent and cannot be fully controlled, even when all reasonable care is taken.

We take all practicable steps to manage these risks. Participants will receive a safety briefing and instructions on the day of the trip and must follow all guide directions and use the safety equipment provided at all times.

By signing this form, I acknowledge that I understand and accept these risks. I agree to follow all instructions, safety briefings, and use of safety equipment, and accept responsibility for my own actions. I understand that Cathedral Cove Kayaks is not liable for loss, injury, or damage that could not have been avoided through reasonable care, subject to my rights under New Zealand law, including ACC coverage and the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993.

Cathedral Cove Kayaks reserves the right to withdraw any participant whose behaviour, condition, or actions may endanger themselves or others, including under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and to cancel, modify, or curtail trips when safety becomes a concern.

Photo/Video Consent
I consent to my photos being taken by Cathedral Cove Kayaks guides during the trip and being made publicly available. I will notify Cathedral Cove Kayaks in a timely manner if I do not want my photos to be used.

Parental/Guardian Responsibility (for participants under 17)
If I am responsible for a participant under 17, I will ensure they follow all guide instructions at all times. I accept responsibility for their actions and release Cathedral Cove Kayaks and its staff from any liability arising from failure to follow instructions. Cathedral Cove Kayaks reserves the right to withdraw any underage participant who may endanger themselves or others.

Participant Information Declaration
I confirm that the information I have provided is true and correct to the best of my knowledge. I have disclosed, or will disclose to the guide, any information that may affect my safety or ability to take part in the trip.

I acknowledge that I have read and understood this waiver and that the information I have provided is true and correct – Please sign

Signature:

If booking for 7 participants or less: You can amend or cancel your reservation up until 48 hours before your trip is scheduled to begin. Cancellations within 48 hours are non-refundable.

Groups with 8 participants or more: You can amend or cancel your reservation up until 7 days before your trip is scheduled to begin. Cancellations within 7 days are non-refundable.

Our booking platform (Rezdy) charges a 1.75% booking fee. This is non-refundable if the trip is cancelled for any reason.

If we cancel your Kayak Tour due to poor weather conditions you will receive a full refund (or your are welcome to reschedule if you wish).

Yes! The great thing about kayaking is that it is easy. After a quick introduction and safety briefing you are out there doing it.. sea kayaking the Pacific Ocean! The guide is with your group the whole time and is there to make your trip safe and enjoyable.

Yes. We have dry bags for your camera and there are storage compartments in the kayaks for other items.

No. We meet beside the kayaks on Hahei Beach in front of the main car park. It just keeps things simple for you.

If the trip is cancelled due to weather conditions there is no charge whatsoever. If you have prepaid for your tour then you will be refunded in full. If you booked via a travel agent then they will provide a full refund (you will need to contact them to arrange).

You will have priority to rebook if you are staying in the area another day and wish to try again.

If you are staying in Whitianga and you do not have a car then this service is for you (or if you do have a car but don’t feel like driving!). Whitianga is a 35 minute drive from our starting point on Hahei Beach. If you have a car you just need to drive to Hahei Beach and meet us on the beach at the scheduled meeting time.

If you don’t have a car then you need to use our pick up service. You take the Whitianga Ferry accross to Ferry Landing. It is a 5 minute crossing and costs $8 return. The Ferry departs approximately every ten minutes. We will arrange a time to meet you at Ferry Landing when you call us to check the weather forecast the day before your trip.

We also offer a pick up service from Hot Water Beach holiday park. Call us the day before your trip and we can confirm the pick up location and time.

Shuttle service – please enquire for details

Our guides carry waterproof digital cameras and will be snapping a few shots throughout the trip. We post the photos that come out clearly on a dated album on our Flickr page (search Cathedral Cove Kayaks on Flickr). We can’t guarantee that we will get photos of everyone so we always encourage you to bring your camera too, we have drybags to keep them safe.

You are welcome to ask your guide if you want them to take more or less photos of you on the day.. they will do their best to accomodate your needs.

No, Hot Water Beach is a very exposed beach that often has big waves and rough sea, not suitable for kayaking.
However, it is a very popular attraction that sees people from all over the world sharing the same natural spa pool in the sand. The hot springs are only accessible at low tide so we suggest doing some reseach to plan your day.. aim to visit 1.5 hours either side of low tide. Spades are available for rent from the local cafes.

Click the link below to check tide times. You’ll be able to work out the best way to join the kayak trip AND visit Hot Water Beach on the same day.
Select location as ‘Whitianga Entrance’ and enter the date(s) that you will be in the area. The tide heights with a minus sign are the low tides that day.
https://www.niwa.co.nz/services/online-services/tide-forecaster

N.B. The tide does not affect the kayak tours.

We are only able to process refunds back onto the card that it was originally booked with. If your card has expired and you have been issued a new one that has the same card number but updated expiry date that is fine.

If the card has been replaced for any other reason the card number is likely to be different so we cannot edit that through our payment system.

In that circumstance we will need to process the refund through a bank transfer. If it is a New Zealand account there are no extra charges but if it is an international account the bank charges will be taken from the refund.

Children need to be at least 5yrs old to join the trip.

In that situation we would usually have one of our staff paddling with the third child.

That said, we know that all families are different, please email us if you have questions about how things might work for your family.

Children must be accompanied by at least one adult on the tour unless an arrangement is confirmed at the time of booking. Adults must sign minors waivers at check in.