A Guide To Visiting Cathedral Cove & Hot Water Beach In The Coromandel
- Helen
- Feb 26, 2019
- 7 min read
Updated: Jun 4, 2019
If you are planning a trip to the Coromandel in New Zealand, two of the sights you will be warned not to miss are Cathedral Cove and Hot Water Beach.
Why will you be told not to miss these two sights?
Probably because they are breath taking, beautiful, awe-inspiring and natural wonders!
Located very close to one another, on the same stretch of coastline on the east side of the Coromandel Peninsula means if you are short on time you can easily visit both these spectacular gems in a day... but, if you do have more time, why rush it?
You could equally easily spend a day at both.
To ensure you get the most out of your trip to the Coromandel, I will offer some advice and practical information on visiting both Cathedral Cove and Hot Water Beach in this post... an all you need to know guide!
What You To Know Before Visiting Cathedral Cove
Cathedral Cove is part of the Te Whanganui-A-Hei Marine Reserve, a special area covering 6 square km with a long Maori history.
The land here was first claimed by Hei as a settlement area in around 1350 AD. Today Hei's ancestors retain a strong connection to this beautiful land.
Cathedral Cove itself is named for it's arched cavern through a large white rock, which joins two secluded areas of beachland...
With white sands and turquoise waters, the complete spectacle here is both magical and captivating.
In recent years, Cathedral Cove was made famous as a film location used in The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian.
Location Of Cathedral Cove
Cathedral Cove is found at the coastal resort of Hahei on the eastern coast of the Coromandel Peninsula.
Hahei is a 10 minute drive north from Hot Water Beach (see below!).
Hahei itself has a long stretch of white sandy beach that you can enjoy and at the northern end of the beach is a coastal path from which Cathedral Cove can be accessed.
There is also a main access footpath from within Hahei itself and I understand that more access paths are being opened in the future.
Getting To Cathedral Cove
There are two car parks for Cathedral Cove but Cathedral Cove is very popular with visitors (understandably) and at peak times of the year car parking restrictions are in place.
During the summer months the main Cathedral Cove car park at Grange Road is closed and visitors are encouraged to park at a car park on Pa Road (on the right as you first drive into Hahei) and use a shuttle bus to the entrance of the Cathedral Cove access track at Grange Road.
If you do not have access to a car, or do not want to drive then your other option is to use the Go Kiwi shuttle that travels at regular intervals during the day between Ferry Landing (just across the water from Whitianga) and Hot Water Beach, stopping at various key points along the way (including Hahei and the entry to the Cathedral Cove track)...
See more at their website.
Once you have found your way to the track for Cathedral Cove it is a 30-45 minute walk to the Cove itself on a well maintained and easy to walk path.
The footpath is smooth and mainly tarmac but it is hilly and there are several sets of steps...
It is perhaps fair to say that mild to moderate fitness level is needed to walk down to the Cove and back.
Of course, the benefit of the hills are the incredible views they reward you with as you pant your way to the top and can then stop, catch your breath and soak in the scenery.
Another way to access Cathedral Cove is by water taxi which runs from Hahei Beach - but is dependent on sea conditions.
The water taxi will take you from Hahei Beach and drop you directly at Cathedral Cove beach (returning the same way!).
Single or return trips are available and a good option if you do have mobility concerns.
(www.cathedralcovewatertaxi.co.nz)
If you are wanting more adventure then you might also enjoy accessing Cathedral Cove by Kayak... a good choice to see the coastline by water and get up close and personal with more of the coves and rocks along the way!
Various companies offer Kayak tours from Hahei.
At Cathedral Cove
Once you have accessed Cathedral Cove, by foot, water taxi or kayak, all that is left to do is enjoy it!
Wander along the white sands, take a dip in the turquoise waters and of course marvel at the incredible rocks and the arched cavern of Cathedral Cove itself.
At peak times of year the beach is served by a lifeguard - just ensure you are swimming between their flags.
Just off the beach there is also a large pinnacle of another rock formation known as 'Te Hoho'. This appears as if it is the end of a large ship just arriving to land on the beach.
Ensure you have your camera to hand to get some stunning photographs of the natural wonders around you.
Food, Drink & Other Essentials
A final point of note regarding visiting Cathedral Cove is that there are no facilities to purchase food, drink or other items such as sun cream on the track to the cove or at the beach.
At Hahei there are several small shops and some good eating and drinking places so ensure you stock up before you venture down to Cathedral Cove itself... if it is a warm day, you will need plenty of water, a hat and sun cream!
What You Need To Know Before Visiting Hot Water Beach
Described as a New Zealand 'must do', Hot Water Beach (or Te Puia to give it it's Maori name) is a unique destination.
A beautiful beach in it's own right, beneath the sands at low tide are hot thermal waters...
People come to visit with shovel in hand to dig a hole in the sand which then fills with the hot waters beneath and they enjoy lying in their self-made pool watching the horizon (and those around them who are still digging!).
The water that fills these pools can be very hot - up to 64 degrees Celsius so testing it before jumping in might be sensible!
Hot Water Beach is a great option to fill a rainy or cold day, as when you have a hot bath to enjoy the outdoors in, who cares about a bit of damp weather?
Location of Hot Water Beach
Hot Water Beach has a small township to it and is located 10 minutes south of Cathedral Cove on the east coast of the Coromandel Peninsula.
The road leading down to the area is well signposted and located off State Highway 25.
Getting To Hot Water Beach
As with Cathedral Cove, your main option for getting to Hot Water Beach would be to drive.
There are three car parks at various points that serve the beach.
The main car park is a pay and display and found at the southern most point of the beach. At this car park there are showers and toilets and the main facilities that the town offers.
If you do not wish to pay then further back up the road are two smaller free car parks from which it is a short and easy walk to the main beach.
Unlike Cathedral Cove, for Hot Water Beach no great walks are necessary - you can park very close to the beach and just amble your way down!
As for Cathedral Cove, if you are not using a car then the Go Kiwi shuttle is another option to take you to and from Hot Water Beach (see above).
At Hot Water Beach
The most important thing to know about visiting Hot Water Beach is that you need to visit at LOW tide or two hours either side of this.
Visit at high tide and all you will see is a very good beach but no hot water bathing opportunities.
Therefore before you visit check the tides and plan accordingly.
The local iSite centres have the tidal information or you can find it online.
When you reach Hot Water Beach you will see many people walking around with a spade in hand... no they are not building almighty sandcastles - they are prepared to dig themselves a hot water pool on the beach.
There are various shops, cafes, or even the lifeguard who will hire you spades for the beach -when I visited the going rate was NZ$10.
So, when prepared with your shovel at low tide -follow the people to the 20 metre radius area of the sandy beach where shallow digging will find warm thermal waters for you to bathe in and enjoy!
Lie back in your self made pool and soak up the atmosphere in this unique experience.
Beyond the hot water pools at Hot Water Beach, the beach here is a beautiful area of coastline in it's own right.
However, swimming at Hot Water Beach is generally not recommended - the water has very strong rips and the coast guard warn against even paddling beyond knee depth here.
Food, Drink & Other Essentials
At the township around Hot Water Beach are a selection of cafes and other eateries to keep you refreshed.
There are also a few small shops and a very good art gallery which sells some very unique and New Zealand made crafts.
If you do want to stay longer around the area then Hot Water Beach also boasts a campsite and other accommodation options.
So, that is the complete guide to these two sights on the Coromandel Peninsula that you really should not miss.
Cathedral Cove is stunningly beautiful and well-worth the small amount of effort needed to walk to get to it.
While, for fun and relaxation after just a little bit of work digging, Hot Water Beach is a unique sight that needs to be experienced.
Did I miss anything else you would want to know?
Have you experienced these two amazing places?
As ever, please comment below!
**To make my travels possible and affordable I do so through international house-sitting, using both Trusted Housesitters and Kiwi Housesitters**
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