Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
What ages are the boat cruises for?
We cater for all ages, children under 16 should be accompanied by adults.
Where should I park?
There is limited parking at the wharf, allow time to park your car and walk from the rugby club or from town. Tour buses can drop off and pick up at the wharf.
How long do your public cruises go for?
Public sunset and daytime nature cruises are minimum 90 minutes. Private group tours are tailored to your requirements.
How do I make a booking?
To order online follow the below link, select your chosen trip, select the number of people, select the day time from the drop down menu, select book now for credit card instructions. Fareharbor...
On-Board the Wahinemoe
Is the boat wheelchair accessible?
Wahinemoe has a wheelchair ramp for boarding and disembarking. The toilet on the rear deck is wheelchair accessible. Inside seating area is wheelchair accessible. Upstairs is not wheelchair accessible.
Are there toilet facilities on board the Wahinemoe?
A toilet on the aft deck also has a shower, hand basin and mirror, hand towels, soaps and moisturizer.
The indoor toilet has a hand basin and mirror soaps and moisturizer.
Does it get cold on the boat?
From November to March the weather is best. However if it is windy it can be cold outside and we have blankets available. Indoors is sheltered and heated in winter and there is always hot water in the bathrooms. We always have hot drinks, coffee or tea available
Will I get sea sick?
Nobody has even been seasick on Wahinemoe because she is a catamaran and very stable, our top speed is only 8 knots (15kmh). We stay within the Whaingaroa harbour where the waves don't get big
What payment options are available on the boat?
You may pay electronically (eft-pos) with most debit and credit cards.
Is your bar licensed?
The "Raglan Bar" found onboard Wahinemoe is fully licensed by the Waikato District Council.
Can we bring our own food on board?
We don't allow people to bring their picnic onboard public cruises. Common sense applies for special dietary requirements and baby food requirements, please contact us if you require clarification.
Can we bring our own food/drink/organise our own catering?
For private charters we can discuss the option of own catering, we need to operate within the food regulations and that means we will have an extra crew to operate the BBQ for example. The licensed bar does not allow BYO.
Can we go swimming?
We do not allow swimming on the public sunset cruise as the sunsets to a schedule and we don't want to miss it..
On private charters we support swimming at an anchorage or a beach landing walk. Swimming on public daytime nature cruise is possible but you need to request this at least 24 hours in advance.
"Note that if you want to swim we need to know in advance as we will tow our tender boat for safety of the swimmers."
Towels are available for hire at 1$ each.
How many people can the Wahinemoe take?
Wahinemoe is certified by Maritime NZ to carry 70 passengers and 5 crew.
For public sunset and nature cruises we limit the passengers to 50 as this is more comfortable for the outdoor seating. We operate with 1 crew per 20 passengers, meaning for 50 passengers we will have 3 crew and a skipper.
Will we have to wear lifejackets?
Due to the size of Wahinemoe you do not need to wear any lifejacket or to remain seated. We carry by law lifejackets for every passenger including children's sizes.
What facilities are on board the Wahinemoe?
Stereo and PA system throughout the boat.
HDTV for presentations, rolling movies or sports coverage
2 spacious bathrooms, including 1 shower, wheel chair access
Licensed bar, wine, beer, sekt and alcopops
BBQ facilities
Heated indoor tabled seating for 30 persons
Outdoor seating 50 persons. Certified 70 PAX and 5 Crew.
Blankets for cold days.
Towels for Swimmers
Wheelchair boarding ramp
Hot tea and coffee
Lifejackets for adults and children, first aid, life saving rings, fire fighting equipment,
Where does the boat leave from?
Wahinemoe departs from the Raglan wharf 92 Wallis Street, Raglan 3225, New Zealand
The passenger ramp is on the south side (right hand) of the wharf building, next to the boat ramp.
What happens if the trip is cancelled due to water or weather conditions?
We generally only cancel if the wind is Strong, easterlies with and North easterlies with Beaufort 5-6, > 20 knots are our biggest discomfort, westerlies of the same strength are acceptable. We contact all passengers by telephone and email when we cancel, we offer 100% money back guarantee. It is highly important that you enter your correct telephone and email address in the booking as we will call to cancel or postpone!
Do you have Gluten Free options available?
If you contact us by email in advance we can arrange this for you.
What are your booking terms and conditions?
You can view our booking terms and conditions here
On-Board the Waka Huia
Is the Waka Huia wheelchair accessible?
The Waka Huia is not wheelchair accessible. Access to the boat is via the rear when it's on land, or by sliding in from the pontoon when it's in the water. We recommend that you are comfortable at climbing up and down short ladders. Please refer to the image on our website for clarification.
Are there toilet facilities on board the Waka Huia?
There are no toilet facilities on the Waka Huia. We recommend using the restroom before the start of your cruise.
Does it get cold on the boat?
The weather is typically best from November to March. However, it can get chilly outside, especially when windy. We recommend bringing a water and or wind proof jacket, and to dress warmly to ensure your comfort.
Will I get seasick?
Seasickness is normally attributed to rolling conditions, the Waka Huia is either moving on sea or land and never at anchor. We stay within the Whaingaroa harbour where the waters are generally calm. Our crew will ensure your comfort throughout the journey.
Can we bring our own food on board?
For comfort and hygiene reasons, we don't allow food on the boat. We encourage and support picnics on the beach.
Will we have to wear lifejackets?
While regulations don't require lifejacket use on vessels above 6m, we mandate wearing them for safety reasons. Lifejackets are provided on board. Please inform us of your age and weight when booking to ensure we have appropriate sizes available.
Can I bring drinks on board?
Yes, you're welcome to bring your own water and soft drinks. Consumption of alcohol is allowed during your private beach picnic and outside the Raglan liquor ban areas. We require that you consume responsibly and all rubbish is removed from the picnic areas.
How many people can the Waka Huia take?
Waka Huia is certified by Maritime NZ to carry 11 passengers and 1 skipper.
Phone 07 825 6522
Docked at Raglan Wharf, 92 Wallis St, Raglan 3225,
New Zealand
