Stays · Destination Guide
Wild kelp forests and predator free islands off the Coromandel coast
Accommodation listings are not available for this destination yet. Use the local planning notes to choose your base.
Most international visitors fly into Auckland (AKL), then drive around 190 km to Whitianga via State Highways 1, 2 and 25, taking roughly 2.5-3 hours in light traffic. Alternative routes from Tauranga or Hamilton take similar times. Once in Whitianga, Mercs trips are boat only, usually on purpose built dive and charter vessels or private launches. There are no public ferries to the Mercury Islands. At busy summer times, allow extra time for traffic and roadworks on the winding Coromandel roads.
Around Whitianga and Mercury Bay, self drive is by far the easiest option. Rental cars and campervans can be arranged in Auckland, Tauranga or locally.