Mautohe Cathedral Cove

Yes. There are several boat tours which operate from the Whitianga Wharf and Ferry Landing. 

You can also do a 1-hour boat tour or 3-hour kayak tour from Hahei Beach.

Tours offer an immersive insight into the history and fascinating geology of this coast, formed by volcanic activity a long time ago. You also have the chance to see marine wildlife such as whales, dolphins, seals and penguins.

Depending on your level of fitness, the pace you walk and how long you spend on the beach - it’ll take about 90 minutes return from the Grange Rd entrance. 

Walking from the Hahei Visitor Carpark adds an extra 30 mins each way. It has a long uphill section and there is little shade. 

You can also park at the Cathedral Cove Gateway Trail (paid parking) and walk to Cathedral Cove in 30-40 minutes.

Download a map of the area

There is only two ways to get to Cathedral Cove beach, either via the 1 hour walk (one way) or by marine access - being boat, kayak or water taxi. Cathedral Cove Kayaks and the Cathedral Cove Water Taxi both land at Cathedral Cove, offering access to the beach.

There are several boat tours operating guided tours in the marine reserve around Cathedral Cove, however most do not land on the beach.

Yes, Cathedral Cove and the Cathedral Cove walking track are open for visitors!

Find out the best places to depart from, shuttle options, plus all of the other helpful tips for visiting this iconic beach here.

Yes you can swim at Cathedral Cove, however the beaches at Cathedral Cove can be wild and are not patrolled by lifeguards. 

There are rip currents in the bay. There can be big waves. Boats, kayaks and jet skis sail in the bay and land on the beach. The archway and parts of the beach become impassable at higher tides or during big swells.

Stay safe in and around the water when visiting Mautohe Cathedral Cove:

• Stay out of the archway when there is water in it
• Watch for incoming tides. You could get cut off and not able to go back through the archway.  
• Visit at low tide and when the seas are calm. You can check the tide times and the sea conditions. 
• Supervise children at all times

Yes, Te Whanganui o Hei Marine Reserve is a protected marine area of 23 square kilometres of coastline and outlying islands off Cathedral Cove on the Mercury Bay.  Accessible from the water by boat or kayak, a day spent experiencing the rich and varied habitats of Te Whanganui o Hei offers unlimited opportunity for learning, fun and adventure. Download the Marine Reserve Map.

Yes, The Cathedral Cove Park & Ride offers regular shuttles between the Hahei Visitor Car Park and the start of the Cathedral Cove Walk at the top of Grange Road. This is a short 5 minute drive, but noting an uphill climb most of the way.

How much are the tickets? Adults $8 return, children (14 years and under) are free. Tickets are for the return trip.

Where to purchase tickets? These can be purchased online, using a credit card at the ticket machine in the Hahei Visitor Car Park or in cash to the driver.

What is the bus timetable? The bus runs continuously during the day, you shouldn’t have to wait longer than 15 minutes. This is a daily service, including all public holidays - even Christmas Day.

• 1st October to 30th April: 9am to 6pm

• 1st May to 30th September: 9am to 5pm

Where does the bus leave from? All day free parking is available at the Hahei Visitor Car Park located on Hahei Beach Road, click here for Google Maps. This large car park is on the right as you enter Hahei, you can’t miss it, it’s well sign posted. The bus stop is located just after you enter the Visitor Car Park.

Grange Road restricted access - No vehicles will be allowed to park at the Grange Road carpark - drop-off and pickup only.

No buses will be allowed access to the Grange Road carpark. An alternative parking option for buses is the Hahei Visitor Carpark, along with the shuttle to take visitors up.

Rockfalls and landslides - The Mautohe Cathedral Cove landscape is unstable. Rockfalls and landslides could cause serious injury or death. The risk is highest during or after heavy rain, but is still present in good weather.

Understand the risk before visiting and decide whether the trip is right for you.

To reduce the risk:

• do not stop or sit near the cliffs
• do not stop under the rock archway - move quickly through it
• do not visit during or after heavy rain.

Water Safety - The beaches at Cathedral Cove are wild and are not patrolled by lifeguards. Many people have got into trouble in the water here. 

There are rip currents in the bay. There can be big waves. Boats, kayaks and jet skis sail in the bay and land on the beach. The archway and parts of the beach become impassable at higher tides or during big swells.

Stay safe in and around the water when visiting Mautohe Cathedral Cove:

• Stay out of the archway when there is water in it
• Watch for incoming tides. You could get cut off and not able to go back through the archway.  
• Visit at low tide and when the seas are calm. You can check the tide times and the sea conditions. 
• Supervise children at all times.

The track has stairs and steep sections. It needs moderate to good fitness, plus sturdy footwear. It can be very hot in summer and there is no running water available, bring lots of water and sun protection. Visiting by boat or water taxi is a good alternative.

The Hahei Beach to Grange Road track (Hahei Beach Walk) is closed.

Cathedral Cove is accessible all year, however to go through the cove between the two beaches, the best time is 2 hours either side of low tide.

• Free parking is available at the Hahei Visitor Carpark on Pa Road, at the village entrance. From here, visitors can walk or catch a shuttle bus to the Grange Road track entrance. 
  • Walking from the Hahei Visitor Carpark adds an extra 30 mins each way. It has a long uphill section and there is little shade. 
• Paid parking is available at the Cathedral Cove Gateway Trail, 150 Lees Road. From here you can take the private farm walk to the main Mautohe Cathedral Cove track. Note: There is no shuttle bus between Hahei and the Lees Road Carpark
• There are also many different commercial tour options – including water taxi, kayaks and boats. 

View the map of the two carparks and walkways.

The Cathedral Cove Park & Ride shuttle 

To reduce the volume of motor traffic through Hahei Village and Grange Road, there will be a shuttle operating from the Hahei Visitor Carpark to the Grange Road track entrance this summer. The Shuttle will operate daily, every 10-15 minutes from 9am to 6pm. 

• Adult fare: $8 return 

• Children 14 and under: Free 

Cathedral Cove is located just up the coast from Hahei on the east coast of the Coromandel Peninsula. Cathedral Cove is approximately a one hour drive from Coromandel (Town), and about a 30 minute drive from Tairua and Whitianga.