This was the first stop on our New Zealand adventure. We had picked up our camper that morning and arrived in Hahei by lunchtime. We were booked on a half day kayaking tour to explore Cathedral Cove and the surrounding area. Firstly we were really lucky with the weather, it wasn't blazing sunshine but it was warm. Secondly, there was only 1 other couple on our tour. Our guide Mike gave us a quick kayaking lesson then we were off exploring the marine reserve which surrounds Cathedral Cove. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable telling us stories about New Zealand's history and ecologial information about the area. After exploring the marine park we landed on Cathedral Cove Beach which is absolutely stunning. We had time to explore the cove whilst Mike made us cappucinos on the beach. Now I do believe that part of Cathedral Cove has recently collapsed, so it apparently does not look the same as it used to and there is currently signs up in the still standing arch advising people not to walk through, however the cove is still stunning and I would definitely reccomend a trip to the area, even if you don't go for the kayaking. After our trip on the recommendation of our guide, we headed in the direction of Cooks Beach and stopped at a winery. This was no flash, posh winery, it was a very rustic building with the most hilarious guy on deck. I enjoyed the wine, but on top of this, this little place makes every single type of liquer you could imagine, including a feijoa one. We even got to try some feijoas fresh as we had never come across them before. If you are in the area, try and find this place, it is definitely worth a visit.

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.