Cathedral
Cove
Secluded
Haven on the Coromandel Peninsula
Coromandel
Peninsula
Pictures of Cathedral
Cove
 Whitianga
is an excellent base for exploring the Coromandel
Peninsula and several must-see spots are within easy
drive.
The
first has to be Cathedral
Cove, which can be compared with Port Campbell's Arch
along Victoria's Great Ocean Road in Australia.
It
is a half-hour hike to a sandy cove where you can swim to
a pancake-like rock shelf about 100 metres off shore or
walk through an arched cave through to a second beach that
has its own tall sandstone island.
The
walk down to Cathedral Cove is not easy for the unfit -
there are steep parts - but pack a picnic and sit back and
relax once you get there as it is glorious.
 On
the way a five-minute detour will also take you to Stingray
Bay where the light green transparent waters allow you
to watch rays swimming. Be a bit careful on windy days,
however, as I almost got creamed by a native tree branch
deciding to drop down nearby.
Rocks
down the far end of the beach are also prone to detaching
themselves from the cliff face so keep close to the water.
You
can also see Gemstone
Bay - where you can snorkel - but the beach is exceptionally
rocky and no good for sunbathing.
A
5-minute drive from the carpark at Cathedral Cove is the
popular beachside village of Hahei. Very crowded in summer
Hahei does offer tourists one of the most expensive shops
I've ever seen in my life.
 At
the general store you could buy a house with what you pay
for fresh fruit so - take your own food to the area.
Not
far away from Hahei is Hot
Water Beach. |
