From the beautiful Hahei Beach on Coromandel, you can walk to Cathedral Cove, where the naturally formed arch deserves a photo.
From the northern edge of the beach, a one-hour walkway leads along the cliff top and then down to the bay. Here, a giant arched cave passes through a white rocky promontory, connecting two separate bays. The cathedral-like arch gives the whole area a majestic feel. The sandy beach with shady hohutukawa trees along the shore is an ideal place for a picnic and swimming.
Not far from the beach in Cathedral Bay, there is a large pumice breccia peak known as Te Hoho. Over the centuries, it has been sculpted by wind and water – now it looks like the bow of a large ship sailing towards the shore.
If you prefer a slightly shorter walk (about 1.5 hours round trip), start at the parking lot at the end of Grange Road in Hahei – turn left just after the Hahei shops. The highest parking lot on Grange Road is the pick-up and drop-off area for the shuttle. Parking on Grange Rd is prohibited from October 1 to April 30. From May 1 to September 30, a limited amount of parking is available on Grange Rd.
During the summer months, a shuttle runs from the visitor parking lot on Pa Road to the start of the Cathedral Cove trail. It costs $5 round trip per person, $3 for a child and $10 for a family (2 adults and 2 children). All visitors to Hahei Beach and Cathedral Cove are encouraged to use this parking lot. A third parking lot is open during the summer months on Lees Road.
For snorkelers and scuba divers, the Cathedral Cove Marine Reserve offers a visual feast of sponge gardens, reef systems and marine life.