Cathedral Cove
Cathedral Cove’s sculpted coastline captivated early maritime explorers and continues to dazzle visitors today. Arguably, Aotearoa New Zealand’s most famous patch of sand, Cathedral Cove is renowned for its picture-perfect archway that frames a stunning beach of creamy white sand and bright emerald waters. As part of Te Whanganui-o-Hei Marine Reserve, a sanctuary for marine life, it is also an ideal spot for snorkelling and diving. The Cathedral Cove Walk is the shortest walking route to the cove and takes about an hour and a half to complete. The track follows the cliff-tops overlooking the coastline, before descending steeply as it nears the beach. Visitors can park at the Hahei Visitor Car Park on Pā Road (free) or at the Cathedral Cove Gateway Car Park on Lees Road (charged), and from there, take a short walk or shuttle to the track’s entrance along Grange Road. The nearest towns are Hahei (2 km), Whitianga (35 km) and Coromandel (54 km). There are no bins at Cathedral Cove, so please take your rubbish with you. This helps protect wildlife and keeps the reserve beautiful. Unfortunately, there are no toilets on Cathedral Cove beach, but toilets are available at the entrance to the Mautohe Cathedral Cove Track and near the entrance from Lees Road. The landscape around Cathedral Cove is naturally unstable, which means rockfalls and landslides may occur and could cause serious injury. To reduce the risk, avoid stopping or sitting near cliffs, standing under the archway, or visiting the cove during or after heavy rain. The water around Cathedral Cove is not patrolled by lifeguards and is prone to rips. To stay safe in the water: - Visit at low tide and when the seas are calm. - Leave the area before high tide. High tides flood the archway, so you could be prevented from returning through it. - Supervise children at all times. Please visit the Department of Conservation websitebefore planning a trip.
Pricing
Free
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