The walk to the cove is indeed a little challaging, esspecially the stairs at the end, but everyone with a reasonable fitness level should make it. Once there you're captured in beauty (but possibly not alone..) The two bays are very nice and the cove as connection between them is makes a picture perfect postcard. Also check out the little waterfall on the righthand side, just walk past the toilets to the rockwall. With sunny weather there is water dripping but after a little rain I could imaging it would be a pretty sight to see on this pretty place.

A trial license for a vendor has been granted to sell snacks from a small booth at Mares Leg Cove (the walkers portal to Cathedral Cove).

Everyone who has ever been there should agree that the walk to from Hahei (with the side routes to Gemstone and Stingray Bays) to Cathedral Cove should be kept as natural as possible.

If you believe the beauty of the Coromandel should be kept, walk in your own snacks, walk out your own trash and don't support the unnecessary commercialism of this fine tourist attraction.

The walk down to Cathedral Cove is hard going for anyone without good fitness. The path is good, but there are lots of steep up and downs. It takes about 30 minutes to walk down (and about 50 minutes to walk back up).

There IS a toilet down in the cove - it's on the right hand bay (with the steps behind you). It's a modern long-drop but perfectly adequate if you are in need.

The water in the cove is a lovely blue and warm (January).

Not a great deal of shade so take an umbrella with you to sit under.