Beautiful scenery! Easy walk down - tougher coming up the steep stairs if you’re not so fit. We left from the Cathedral Cove Gateway car park which is an enjoyable walk in. We were very grateful for an icecream on our way out at the top of the incline to get back. Was quite busy when we were there, a lot of ignorant tourists with no concern for anyone but themselves which was disappointing. But overall a beautiful spot and worth the walk down to see 🧡

Cool cove. Nice walk. Good to see the screen saver photo live and in person. Headed early so less people if this matches the tide id recommend early bird. 1 hour before lowest tide was still good. Walk was more hilly than expected. More ups and more downs than I imagined. I thought id walk up to the bus stop (took us 20mins) then down to the beach. Instead you go back up a hill, round the ww1 memeorail then back down, and back up, then down. Overall to get there took 45mins. 15mins there and then 45min return. (No rush)

Beautiful, easy hike! We went early in the morning and had the place almost to ourselves! Around 9am is when the majority of people show up. On a sunny day this place is magical!

Absolutely stunning, truly a wonder of God. Went with the kids at start of Sept school holidays and pleasantly not too crowded. The shuttle from Hahei carpark runs on a 10 minute cycle, was comfortable and quick. Well worth the $7 return. A pleasant undulating 30 walk from the drop-off point. The steep stairs section just before the beach needed some caution to avoid injury. Some parts do not have a handrail. Quite demanding going back up. The walk was totally worth it. The beauty, peaceful serenity made it all worthwhile. Definitely recommend. A great experience. A cautionary note: stay back from the cliff wall base, as there was recent slump.

About a 30 mins walk from the top of the track. You cannot park at the top of the hill, but you can park at the carpark and take the Shuttle Bus. You can swim at the beach. Beautiful spot, very picturesque. You can also come by Water Taxi. Many stairs on the way down, so not suitable keep for strollers

Beautiful hike down to the beach that you may recognize from Narnia. Be honest with yourself though it is a challenging hike if you do not regularly work out. Paved path with actual stairs yes but that isa long hike hanging over steep cliff like plunges, and approx 7 flights of stairs right before you hit the beach. Beautiful and worth it if you are up for the challenge though. Very helpful that there is a bathroom and ice cream stand 3/4 of the way to the beach to give you a pick me up on your way back up the climb. It is also not just downhill them uphill, it is up and down one direction and then up and down heading back

Superb hiking path, very clean, mostly asphalted. Very beautiful scenery along the way. The lookout detour (about 50 minutes) is worth it. Be warned that there are lots of inclines and steps. Paradise found!

Now, here's a piece of paradise worth the extra effort. I walked from the car park to the Cove. I needed the exercise; more people than shuttle capacity, when I wanted to go. The scenic walk begins where the shuttle drops off. Path is sealed, does have two steepish sections, and a series of steps descending to beach. Enjoy the walk and the beach!

Amazing place with amazing view. Tips I park my car at Hahei Beach. Then I took the Grange Road to walk to the Cathedral Cove viewing deck. You cannot park near the viewing deck. After that, there is a walk with sometimes steep. However its worth it. You can have a nice bath in the beach as well.

What an amazing beach. Best place to hike for good 30 mins and get to the beach. The cave at the beach looks amazing and it’s very photogenic. Have a good swim and hike back. Would recommend to take some food and water.

We drove to the Cathedral Cove Carpark and took the shuttle bus to the drop-off point. The shuttle is very convenient, and it’s free for kids under 14, with a $7 fee for adults. From the shuttle drop-off, it’s about a 20-30 minute walk to the cove. The path is easy to follow, with stunning coastal views along the way. You’ll pass through lush greenery, and as you get closer to the cove, the trail becomes a bit steeper, but nothing too difficult. Once you arrive, the view of the iconic rock arch and the golden beach is absolutely breathtaking. The crystal-clear water, towering cliffs, and peaceful atmosphere make it a must-see spot. It’s definitely worth the walk, and the natural beauty is unforgettable! If you’re in the Coromandel, don’t miss it!

Unreal natural beauty. We left on the hike from Hahei Beach at around 6:30 am and when we arrived at Cathedral Cove we basically had the beach to ourselves. On our way out we passed big groups hiking in, so we were glad we went early.

The view was breathtaking, creating a serene and almost magical atmosphere, like stepping into Narnia! :) Unfortunately, the track and walkway to Cathedral Cove were still under construction and hadn’t reopened yet, so the only access was by water taxi from Hahei Beach.

It is an absolute must visit site. Perfect for the views and a swim. You will need to park your car at the car park (free parking) , buy a $7 ticket for the shuttle bus (includes return as well) and hop on the shuttle (frequence every 15 mins). The shuttle would leave you at the top and then it's about a 45 minute trek (paved pathway but with steep inclines and stairs) down to Cathedral Cove. Make sure to check the tide timings though. Alternatively you can take a water taxi from Hahei beach which is about a 15 min walk from the car park (don't take the shuttle bus ticket in that case). The water taxi costs $40 per person one way and it will take you to Cathedral Cove and/ or bring you back if you do not want to do the walk. We walked one way and took the water taxi while going back as the walk can be a little treacherous but the views and experience make up for it. At the half point of the walk, you have a soft serve / granita food kiosk, their soft serve is delicious and also this is the last stop for your washroom, before you head down to Cathedral Cove.

exquisite beach and a bucket list to do in NZ. Just a heads up currently is no parking up there you have to catch shuttle from hahei at a cost. every 10 mins so that's very good. from top car park is 40 min walk. this is a very challenging walk for someone unfit so be aware. very steep hills and lots of steps at the end. if you want to take your time with this make sure you come earlier in the day as last shuttle is at 5pm in winter. might be different in summer season. go by boat if a hike is not your thing.

Beautiful reserve with amazing flora and birdy-fauna is a very good option to take a nice walk to Cathedral Cove surroundings. Breathtaking view to the ocean, fantastic, endemic plants makes it a very interesting and educational trip. Colorful and relaxing, everyone should try it.

Beautiful beaches and cliffs and the place is best visited by boat.

Nice regional park with wonderful beaches along the walkway to the Cathedral Cove. Depending on the arrival time, limited car parking spaces might be a pain in the axx. Just have to be patient and wait for your turn as people comes and goes. 45 mins walk to the final destination the Cathedral Cove, a bit challenging for elderly or young ones, must wear sun cream and a hat, unless you wanted to be toasted. Cove is an amazing place with lots of tourists. Plenty of nice photo spots and it's a natural wonder that you must find time to visit.

This beach is relatively safer and cleaner to swim, as compared to other beaches. To reach the cove, one has to hike a good half hour from the car park, probably an hour if you were unlucky like me and had to park in town. All that said, it's all worth when you'll find yourself walking on white sand under the cove! There's also a small waterfall on the other end in case you need a quick shower to get rid of the sand.

Enjoyed Cathedral Cove by arriving by boat. Prefer that option as walking back up hill after a glorious swim in the clean clear water might be miserable in the heat. Many reviewers who walked down and back up still sounded like they enjoyed it nonetheless. Yes it can be crowded for New Zealand standards but compared to European beaches there's still plenty of room. Enjoy your time there as it's very beautiful and lots of fish can be seen in the clear sea water especially if you use a snorkel and mask.

One of the MOST breathtaking places I've ever been! I have traveled far and wide in New Zealand and this is one of it's crowning jewels for sure! It is worth going out of your way to visit! 😊👍

It will take a spectacular experience for me to leave a review and this place is one out of a bajilion that really checks all the boxes. Ordered the Fish and Chips and the Godfather pizza, chef kiss top notch was super impressed. Had the house brew dizzy blonde and it literally took me to my happy place for the next hour. Would 100% recommend! Keep it up!

Fabulous! And the clam chowder is the yummiest I’ve ever had!! It’s one of the specials though, not sure how long it would be available for. My friend and I will be coming back for dinner tomorrow. Beer’s awesome. I like my Good as Gold, my friend likes her Haheizy. Special mention, brownie with vanilla ice cream is not overly sweet, which suits my palate perfectly. Very nice and helpful staff. An extremely pleasant surprise at Hahei.

A gem in the coromandels! The Pour House is home of the Coromandel Brewing company, offering beers brewed onsite. This family run brewery/bistro is in the heart of Hahei Village at the foot of the Cathedral Cove walk. Amazing home baked pizzas, some of the best craft beer and most reasonably priced I have sampled in New Zealand along with their very own pub dog Porter! Great beer garden area with firepit and cosy indoor pub setting. Perfect after your Cathedral Cove hike!

Nice spot to visit before or after visiting Cathedral Cove. There are lots of drink options, both of the alcoholic and non-alcoholic variety and it's clear the food is prepared with high quality and fresh ingredients. There is lots of seating outside and plenty inside as well. If you're outside be aware of the birds, while you're seated they'll keep their distance but if you get up, for even a moment, some of them will jump at the opportunity. Definitely a worthwhile stop while in the neighborhood.

My husband and I visited Hahei, New Zealand and had an exceptional dinner at The Pour House! We were warmly welcomed by Faustine, who took our order and poured our craft beers. Even though the brewery was busy, she was calm, friendly, and attentive throughout our meal. She even stopped by our table later to make sure we were happy with everything — such thoughtful service! Her partner, Pierre, hand-made our pizza, and it was absolutely delicious — perfectly crisp crust, just the right balance of cheese and sauce, and a fresh touch of arugula on top. Paired with their fantastic craft beer, it was one of the best meals at a restaurant we’ve had in a long time. We highly recommend The Pour House for excellent food, great beer, and warm, genuine service. A must-visit spot in Hahei!

Cool place, with relaxed vibe to eat and drink after a great day out tiki touring around the beautiful Coromandel Peninsula. The local brew was so crisp and refreshing, even the cherry Lemonade, hit the spot. Pizza we had was really good. Can't remember the topping name but it was a meat one.

Pretty good food. Had the ribs, margarita pizza, and chips. Was above average but not a place I’d be dying to go back. Portions seamed a tad small for price and food wasn’t the hottest but still good no doubt. Beer is probably amazing but didn’t get any as we were just driving through.

We arrived just after 2pm and unfortunately the kitchen was already closed, but the cabinet food made up for it — especially the sausage roll, which was absolutely delicious. However, the service left a lot to be desired. The woman at the counter with tattoos was quite rude and had a noticeably poor attitude when taking our order. On top of that, one of our items was missed, and it took ages to arrive once we pointed it out. Honestly, the food speaks for itself — it’s really tasty — but the customer service needs serious work. The owner should consider giving the front-of-house staff some proper training in hospitality. A great café experience is about more than just good food.

Beautiful setup with the most amazing home made choices. From muffins and slices to big breakfast menu. Coffee is great and the owners are so friendly and accommodating

Loved it. Great Staff were super lovely and fun. Loved the wall of map and pins and had a chat with them about it. Also made jokes about good coffee. They set the bar high with this but did meet those expectations and then some. Coffee is awesome. Toilets are also well maintained and there are 4 lots of loos so there not much of a wait or so.one rattling your door mid go. As I said coffee is good so you Will need to use these loos. Good thing they are nice with 3 ply paper.

We (4) popped in for coffee in April 2025. We had 4 coffees, beautifully presented (see photo). The menu and food fridge looked good as well (photos). Great service. We sat inside to get out of the weather. Recommended !!! - Thank you.

This place is a hidden gem on the way to Cathedral Cove. We stopped here on our way back and indulged in salmon bagels, an unsweetened oat-milk matcha latte, and a cozy spiced tea latte. Everything tasted absolutely amazing — unbelievably fresh and full of vibrant flavor. The staff were incredibly friendly and happy to answer all our questions about the menu. I’ll definitely be coming back here whenever I’m nearby — spots like this are impossible to forget. ❤️

We were visiting from Taupō. Had a great breakfast, really good coffee & tea, and heaps more attractive food in the cabinet too. Love the ambience and the staff were friendly.

Lovely staff, very friendly atmosphere and excellent, tasty food. We went for breakfast, it was fabulous!

Amazing beach! Beautiful location, views are awesome and the sea is clear. What more do you want.

Nice beach, crystal clear water great swim. Takes about 30 min to get to Catedral Cove by kayak and on the way back look around the other islands. There is also easy walk to lookout in the end of beach.

A serene beach with pristine views and really nice waters. The parking is on the road just above the beach. Plenty of activities going along the beach. There are nets for beach ball, and further down the beach several boating, kayaking, and water taxi service to cathedral cove is also available here. The beach has a long stretch of about 1 KM, so even on a crowded day, plenty of space for everyone to set up camp. There are super clean toilets on the road above the beach. Highly recommended beach

Hahei Beach is one of the best beaches I’ve visited near Auckland. It boasts a breathtaking coastline with clear waters, striking rock formations, and a peaceful, uncrowded atmosphere. The water is pleasantly warm, and there’s plenty of space to relax - whether you’re setting up a picnic table or a tent for a laid-back day by the shore. Parking is ample, making access easy, and the scenic drive there is well worth it. Keen to visit again!

What a cracking beach Hahei is and obviously many others think the same as it was pretty busy on the lovely Saturday afternoon when we were there. Lovely views and a great beachside walk and plenty of indulgences on offer in town such as fabulous fruit ice creams!

Hahei Beach is breathtaking, especially between 8–9 PM when the sky fades into a beautiful pink and blue gradient. The calm water and soft sand make it the perfect spot to enjoy the peaceful evening. A must-visit for anyone on the Coromandel Peninsula!

It’s a beautiful beach with lots of white sand. It has some breathtaking views. We played beach ball and also went on a boat ride. Summer is quite hot and relaxing even though the water is cold, you can get in and enjoy the waves. Water activities are really fun. The usual toilets/changing rooms/showers/etc. The only real gripe I have is the parking at the beach - since the grange rd car park has been closed during the summer. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a tranquil seaside escape.

I’m so glad we did this! Kayaking with a bit of a history lesson — what a great combination. Our beautiful guide, Moanaroa, was informative and thorough in explaining the kayaking basics and making sure we were properly geared up and ready for our morning out at sea. A big thanks also to Hayden, who looked after our safety and shared fascinating historical insights with such enthusiasm. It was a fantastic way to spend our morning! Love the tea that was included on our rest stop. Highly recommend this experience.

We had an amazing time on the Cathedral Cove Kayak Tour with our guide, Jerard. He was friendly, experienced, and even had great photography skills, capturing some fantastic moments for us. His knowledge and enthusiasm made the tour truly memorable. Highly recommended!

Such a fantastic morning. Loved seeing this magical coastline in a kayak with my son. Our guide Georgia was outstanding - we felt really safe and she was full of fascinating stories and insights about the area. A great combo of relaxed meandering and more energetic paddling with a heavenly stop at Cathedral Cove for a perfect hit choccie. Can’t imagine a better way to experience this stunning place.

OMG What a wonderful team of people so polite and caring this is a trip that no one should miss!!! My guide was a lovely sweet young lady called mo ( just an abriviation of her first name) she worked so hard pulling the Kayaks into and out of the water by herself with 2 people inside bless her! And when we reached Cathedral Cove she had all of the stuff to make the whole group hot drinks from Coffee's to Hot Chocolate I would personally like to thank her from the bottom of my heart ❤ for a lovely trip xxx

We had a fantastic tour Louis was super nice and talked to everyone and showed lots of great interest in clients. It was a fantastic family and great fun paddling along the cathedral cove. We had some of the best hot chocolates of our lives. Experience of a lifetime in an incredible place. Louis we can’t wait to see you again

Had an epic time on this kayak tour. Finding the launch point was super easy, just a 1 min walk from the car park down to the launch point on the beach. Check in was smooth and easy. Small group so really personalized. Provided dry bags to keep all my gear dry during the tour. I’m a hobby film photographer so that was great! Our guide for this tour, Lui, originally a Wellington local, took care of everyone so well, super attentive, funny, and we got to see so much with him. I was visiting from Hawaii so I feel very comfortable on/in the ocean. Traveling by myself so I was given a solo kayak and it was great to feel trusted enough to go at my own ability and with the freedom to explore while with the group, while also remaining respectful to the group and tour and making it easier and not harder on Lui. Took us around some of the smaller islands off shore, then got us right onto the beach. We were given time to walk around at cathedral cove, check out the spots, take some great photos, there was even some small shorebreak so I got to bodysurf a bit. All while he made us hot chocolate, coffee and tea right there on the beach. Really appreciated the emphasis on Māori history and legends to honor the rich indigenous culture, some more recent local history, and facts about wildlife in the area. Would recommend 110%, hopefully you get Lui, you won’t regret it!

We absolutely loved the kayak tour! It was such a fun and relaxing way to explore the area, with stunning views all around. Brad was super friendly and made us feel safe and comfortable the whole time. A smooth, enjoyable experience — highly recommend!