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...
if your preferred date is not listed and you are a group of 10 or more it is recommended to email us on info@raglanboatcharters.co.nz
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?
Two Toilets, one on the aft deck and one indoor toilet have hand basins, hand towels, soaps and mirrors.
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 ever 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. 14/ON/13/2025
Can we bring a picnic on public trips?
We don't allow picnics on public cruises. Common sense applies for special dietary requirements and baby food requirements, please contact us if you require clarification.
Can we bring picnic food/drink/ or organise our own catering on private charters?
For private charters we support own catering, so long as we 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?
Yes on Private Charters
We do not allow swimming on the scheduled public cruises.
On private charters we support swimming at an anchorage or a beach landing walk.
"Note that if you want to swim we need to know 24hrs in advance as we need 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 our boats (>6m) we do not need to wear lifejackets within the harbour. We must carry lifejackets for every passenger including children's sizes and you can choose to wear one.
It is mandatory to wear lifejackets crossing the Raglan Bar!
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,
What about seating and walking around?
We have plenty of seating for everyone but it is first in first served. You can freely walk around the boat and find your best vantage spot.
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 if Raglan Boat Charters cancel for any reason?
We generally only cancel if conditions are unsafe (for example strong easterly winds >Beaufort 5–6). If we need to cancel, we contact all passengers by telephone and email. We offer a 100% refund for scheduled tours (excluding agent booking fees — see our Terms & Conditions) or a free reschedule. It is highly important that you enter your correct telephone and email address in the booking so we can 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
