Answering all your questions about Cathedral Cove.
Where is it?
Located on Coromandel Peninsula's east coast, near the township of Hahei, Cathedral Cove is part of Te Whanganui-A-Hei Marine Reserve.
Is it Free?
The beach itself is free, but you will need to pay for either a shuttle or parking to get you to the walkway. At the moment the Cathedral Cove Carpark at the top of the hill on Grange Road is under repairs, so I recommend the carpark at Lees Road which cost $10 for a car. You can also get there by boat, via the Cathedral Cove Water Taxi.
Is it an easy walk?
It’s an easy to moderate walk. It took us about 30 minutes to walk to the bottom with kids. The path is concreted all the way until you get to the very bottom which has a couple of flights of steep steps.
Can I swim there?
Yes! However the beach is known for it's strong swell. The cave itself was carved out by the powerful sea waves so be careful and try to choose a calm day to swim. The day we went was the calmest I've ever seen it, there were lots of people swimming out to one of the nearby rocks and jumping off. The waters are the most beautiful jewel tone and crystal clear. In my opinion is one of the best beaches in New Zealand!
Are there toilets there?
Yes, there is a recently installed long drop a short walk from the entrance. There is also a lifeguard tower.
Can I take my dog?
No sorry, the beach is part of Te Whanganui-A-Hei Marine Reserve.
Is it worth the walk?
Absolutely! Cathedral Cove is a unique and geologically interesting, there is a very good reason it was used as a location for scenes in the movie Narnia.
Surrounded by white sandstone cliffs that have been eroded away by the sea, creating a series of arches and caves, it truly is a natural wonder and the kids always love exploring here.
Where can I eat?
There are plenty of options at the closest town, Hahei. Stop for an ice cream afterwards or if you’re looking for dinner try The Pour House or The Church Bistro
Let me know any more questions you might have in the comments and I’ll answer those too.
