Just visited the Coromandel and on a trip to Cathedral Cove we discovered that access is sort of closed to Cathedral Cove itself. The walk (which, by the way is advertised as taking 45min, but we did it in less than 30 almost in the dark) takes you to the beach next to Cathedral Cove, and then you walk through a big rock arch to get to C.Cove itself. The local council/Dept of Conservation/whoever, has signs up at the start of the walk and at the rock arch entrance saying access is closed due to a high risk of rock fall in the arch.

There is no mention of recent rock falls, and I'm not sure if they have occurred. It sort of doesn't say access is banned, just a stern warning that says don't proceed. By way of denoting restricted access a thigh-high rope fence has been erected across the rock arch entrance. It's hardly a significant barrier and while we were there some tourists went on through the arch to the cove.

Anyway, beautiful place, I'm sure it would have been even better if the weather hadn't been grey and windy.

We went from Whitianga on an inflatable mototised dingy to Cathedral Cove and Viewed it from the ocean. This was on 22 Nob 2009 on a seb\verely rainy day from Whitianga but on cruising past the coves the weather brightened and on arriving at Cathedral Cove the sun was shining and the Sky was blue. We had a good laugh at 2 blokes on the beach who decied to pose as muscle men haha which made out trip. Tis is the way to see the Cove withour using any energy or stuffing yourself up for the day with vigorous walking.
Definatly reccomended.

Cathedral Cove is one of those things that you might read about in a brochure, might think that it is just a tourist trap, but once you get there you will never think twice. We got there on a cloudless summer day, with temperatures reaching atleast 30 degrees and there was the most amazing view, even BEFORE you get to the cove, of the sea. It is a (sometimes) steep and long walk down to the cove, but pleasant enough. We were there in prime tourist season and sure enough there were a LOT of people. But the beauty of the place just completely overrides that. It almost looks like Fiji. It is well worth the visit when in the Coromandel- the prettiest place I saw. One thing to note, parking is a nightmare, but there is a tourist bus that does trips from the town and I think it costs about $2. Well worth the walking. Bring some decent shoes though, jandals would get quite tiring.