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Home »New Zealand Travel »Scenic Highlights »Coastal Highlights »Hahei and Cathedral Cove

The Beach World of Hahei and Cathedral Cove

Image Source: Tourism New Zealand. Cathedral Cove, Coromandel, New Zealand

Cathedral Cove, Coromandel
Photographer: David Wall
(www.davidWallPhoto.com)

Hahei is a small settlement with an attractive beach located on the eastern side of the Coromandel Peninsula, about two hours southeast of Auckland, New Zealand.

Fringed with pohutukawas and drifts of pink shells at the northern end, Hahei is a popular tourist destination. From the lookout there is access to majestic Cathedral Cove and the Cathedral Cove Marine Reserve.

The Te Pare point historic reserve at the southern end of Hahei Beach is the site of a pa occupied by the Ngati Hei people.

Offshore islands provide a breakwater for ideal swimming, boating and fishing.

Cathedral Cove

Near to Hahei is the Cathedral Cove Marine Reserve, managed by the Department of Conservation.

Kayaking, Cathedral Cove
Coromandel, New Zealand
Photographer: David Wall
(www.davidWallPhoto.com)

To get to Cathedral Cove, you'll need to take a hike. The Cathedral is a gigantic arched cavern that penetrates the headland between two coves. It gives an air of grandeur to the whole of the beach.

The headland of Cathedral Cove is the site of an ancient Maori Pa (fortified village).

Cathedral Cove beach is sandy with a pohutukawa backdrop—a perfect place for a picnic followed by a swim.

Offshore a little way is a large pinnacle of pumice breccia known as 'Te Hoho'. Delicately sculptured by wind and water to form a most impressive and unusual sight, it looks a bit like the prow of a large ship steaming into the beach.