Best Beaches in The Coromandel New Zealand

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One of my favourite stops on our New Zealand road trip was The Coromandel Peninsula on the east coast of the North Island. Around two and a half hours drive from Auckland, no north island itinerary would be complete without a stay in this stunning coastal region. The biggest draw to The Coromandel is its beaches so here is my quick guide to the best beaches in The Coromandel New Zealand.

Cathedral Cove

Perhaps one of the most well-known beaches in The Coromandel, Cathedral Cove is famous for its archway between two beaches. We visited Cathedral Cove during the late afternoon. We drove to the car park from our accommodation in Hahei and then took the 45 minute walk from there. Taking in the stunning sea views and saying hello to the cows in the field as we passed. On the walk back from the beach I even witnessed (from a respectable distance I might add) two people getting engaged! Awww!

We arrived at Cathedral Cove as the sun was setting and the tide was coming in to slowly fill the arch between the two beaches with sea water. We didn’t stay too long as we didn’t want to trek back in the dark but it was really peaceful there. Unfortunately there wasn’t a glorious sunset, so no instagram-worthy sunset pictures, but Cathedral Cove is worth the walk regardless.

How to get to Cathedral Cove

• Cathedral Cove can easily be reached by car from nearby towns Hahei and Whitianga. Parking is available at Hahei Visitor Car Park or at the Cathedral Cove Gateway Car Park.
• The Cathedral Cove walk takes around 45 minutes each way. The walk begins at Grange Road.

Tips for visiting Cathedral Cove

• It is sensible to wear trainers or walking shoes on the way there and then change into your flip flops or go barefoot once your feet touch the sand.
• It is recommended not to visit during or after heavy rainfall due to the risks of landslides and rockfall.
• If you’re looking to explore Cathedral Cove from a different viewpoint, then there are boat trips that cruise the coast offering a different perspective on that iconic archway.

Hahei Beach

Hahei is a small settlement, close to Cathedral Cove. It is a popular tourist destination with New Zealanders and international travellers. And if you ever visit here you will see why! Hahei has a pristine white sand beach and a laidback vibe. This, to me, is the perfect spot to recharge your batteries. We stayed in a charming accommodation called The Church which was the perfect base for soaking up the local beach life.

Hahei itself was very quiet during our visit. It was so pretty there but because we were planning our road trip a couple of days in advance (as opposed to 100% winging it) we unfortunately were only able to stay in Hahei for one night. Unfortunately we didn’t get to enjoy the beautiful sands of Hahei Beach as much as we would have liked. AND I made friends with a dog on that beach! If you’re in the North Island then you must pay a visit to Hahei and linger a little longer than I did.

Tips for visiting Hahei

• If you’re visiting during peak summer months (December to February) then booking your accommodation in advance is essential.
• There are a few walks that can be done in the Hahei beach area. Check the Department of Conservation website for any alerts regarding safety issues or closures.

Hot Water Beach

Hot Water Beach is another one of the most well-known beaches in The Coromandel Peninsula. Famed for the hot water bubbling below the sand, here you can dig your own spa pool right on the beach!

In order to experience Hot Water Beach like a tourist you will need to visit two hours either side of low tide and bring a spade (or hire one from the cafe). Be warned though, you will probably be jostling for space amongst the coachloads of day trippers also digging for a hot spot.

• You can read more about my Hot Water Beach experience here: Hot Water Beach New Zealand – Tourist Trap or Must See?

Where to stay in The Coromandel Peninsula

For first time visitors, the best areas to stay in The Coromandel are Whitianga and Hahei.

• Whitianga is the larger of the two, so best if you’re looking for a few more amenities on your doorstep. It’s a little further from the beaches than Hahei but if you don’t mind the drive then its no bother.
• Hahei is smaller with fewer amenities like shops and cafes. But Hahei’s major selling point is its proximity to Cathedral Cove.

Where we stayed

We chose Hahei as our base. The Church was one of the nicest accommodations we stayed at during our time in New Zealand as we were on a budget, yet the prices were very reasonable here. We stayed in the Garden Studios which included a private bathroom, basic kitchen facilities such as a fridge, kettle and microwave, as well as a veranda where we could sit and enjoy the beautiful garden right outside.

Honestly, my only regret is staying here for just one night. As we were planning our road trip a few days in advance, we had already prebooked our onwards accommodation. Otherwise I would have happily stayed here for another night or two.

• The Church Accommodation is just 5 minutes walk from Hahei village and 10 minutes walk from Hahei beach.
• There is a restaurant on site called The Church Bistro. However we didn’t get chance to eat here.

Check out my other New Zealand guides

• New Zealand North Island Itinerary – 10 Day Road Trip
• The Perfect 2 Week New Zealand South Island Itinerary
• Black Water Rafting at Waitomo Caves – A New Zealand Adventure