Cathedral Cove & Hot Water Beach
Cathedral Cove
A walking track from the car park gives access to Gemstone Bay, Stingray Bay and
the beautiful sandy beaches at Cathedral Cove, separated by a natural rock arch. Cathedral Cove is one of many
"must see" attractions on the Coromandel Peninsula. It is only accessible on
foot or by boat/kayak and features Reefs of hard rock, intricate caves, soft
sediments and underwater arches.
Officially named Te Whanga A Hei: (Cathedral Cove), the reserve
was gazetted in 1993. Te Whanganui-A-Hei is the first reserve established
on the Coromandel Peninsula, and in the Department of Conservation's Waikato
Conservancy. Covering a total of nine square kilometres, Te
Whanganui-A-Hei thus became New Zealand's sixth official marine
reserve. This site was chosen for a marine reserve because of the rich and varied
habitats associated with the coastline and outlying islands. Reefs of hard rock,
soft sediments, intricate caves and underwater arches provide homes for complex
communities of plants, crustacea, moluscs and fish. Sheltered from the worst of
the southerly winds Te Whanganui-A-Hei gives visitors and unparalleled
opportunity to learn from and enjoy an unspoilt marine environment.
- Easy to moderate walking - about 1.3 hours return
- Track is mostly well formed, some sections may be steep, rough or muddy
- Suitable for people with low to moderate fitness and abilities
- Clearly sign posted. Stream and river crossings are bridged
- Walking shoes or light tramping/hiking boots required
Hot Water Beach
Hot Water Beach is as good as its name. A geothermal-heated, hot spring filters up through the sand at Hot Water Beach. Hot pools can be dug out of the sand at low tide near the rocks and in places where steam can be seen rising from the open sea at high tide. Lined by a feisty surf beach (with Castle Rock in the foreground) and a long shard of cliffs, Hot Water Beach is book-ended by tufts of pohutukawa trees. In between, white sands hide an underground river of hot water that flows from the Earth’s interior to surface in this picturesque location.
Volcanic activity is no longer prevalent on the Coromandel Peninsula—the hot mineral pools are a legacy of an exciting geothermal past. Hot Water Beach is also known as a good surfing spot.