New Zealand is renowned for it’s spectacular natural beauty. Often the South Island is considered the headline act but if you think the North has nothing to offer you have obviously never been to the Coromandel Peninsula. Cathedral Cove kayaking is a must-do in New Zealand. The Coromandel tempts visitors with mild temperatures, pure white sand beaches, impossibly clear aquamarine waves, craggy cliffs and dramatic rock formations. Mother Nature has a wicked sense of humour and makes her most special creations just inaccessible enough so only the truly dedicated get to enjoy their majesty. Getting from Whitianga to Cathedral Cove is a little tricky but kayaking Cathedral Cove is well worth the effort. Cathedral Cove can only be reached by foot or boat and the best way to get there is with Cathedral Cove Kayak Tours. The paddling is easy, the guides are knowledgeable and the scenery is breathtaking. What are you waiting for? Read on for all the details …
Getting From Whitianga to Cathedral Cove
Getting from Whitianga to Cathedral Cove means you will first need to get to Hahei where Cathedral Cove Kayak Tours depart. Hahei Beach which is about a 35 min run from where we stayed at The Beachside Resort Whitianga. We brought own GPS to use in the Hyundai i20 we hired through Airport Rentals on our road trip through the Coromandel Peninsula, but unfortunately it wouldn’t find Hahei. After a few attempts we found it under Cooks Beach and were on our way. Parking at Hahei Beach is limited and crowded with campers so arrive a little early.
Kayaking Cathedral Cove
We selected the Cathedral Cove Classic Tour which is the specialty of the house. If you are visiting in December or January why not try a sunrise or sunset paddle for spectacular views. Cathedral Cove Kayak Tours recommend calling the day before to make sure the weather is suitable and your trip is going ahead. We were blessed with ideal conditions; the sea was as flat as a tack, the sun was blazing and there was not a cloud in the incredibly blue sky. We later learned it was the hottest November day on record for the North Island. Nice one! Word of warning: Use the toilets on Hahei beach before you start your tour as the only facilities at Cathedral Cove are long drop. We met our guide Brad at the water’s edge and he had our group of eight suited up in our life jackets and rather fetching rubber skirts in no time. After a quick safety briefing and a demonstration on operating the kayak, Brad personally set up all the kayaks before we got underway. Each kayak was equipped with ample storage and wet bags were supplied to keep your valuables dry. While the skirt was not the most stylish garment I have ever worn, it is likely the most functional and certainly came in handy to keep the water out.
Cathedral Cove Kayaking
Once underway Brad set a leisurely pace which allowed us to enjoy the natural beauty surrounding us. As this is only my second time in a kayak I was a little worried I wouldn’t be able to keep up but I needn’t have. Brad made sure all the group stayed together and no one was left behind. Cathedral Cove Kayak Tours have a number of tours to choose from and there is something for everyone, even families. Our 2Β½ hour trip was not at all strenuous but I could certainly feel my arms the next day!
As we paddled, Brad stopped us every now and then to share stories of the area including the fascinating MΔori history of The Coromandel. As we rounded a rocky outcrop the water changed from sapphire blue to emerald green and we found ourselves in the middle of Gemstone Bay (see what I did there? Sapphire … Emerald … Gemstone). Gemstone Bay is inside the conservation zone of Te Whanganui-A-Hei Marine Reserve and is one of NZ’s best snorkeling sites with a ready made trail to guide you to the very best spots. The water was so clear we could see an abundance of fish by simply peering over the side of the kayak. While we didn’t spot any, Brad mentioned there were Orcas nearby only two weeks before our visit.
If the conditions are right and you have a bit of a breeze you might be lucky (like we were) to experience a kayak sail. Brad gathered the group together and hoisted a tarp as a sail which the outsiders held while the guys in the middle were in charge of holding the group together. It worked a treat and we made good time while saving some tired arms.
At Cathedral Cove
As you glide your kayak onto the pristine white sand you cannot help but be awed by the simple untouched beauty of the location. We were lucky to have only a smattering of others to share the space with, but I am lead to believe it can become quite frantic in the height of the summer. The rock formations both in an out of the water remind me a little bit of our road trip around The Great Ocean Road in Australia.
The main attraction is the natural rock cave from which Cathedral Cove draws its name. Make sure you walk all the way through and view it from both sides to get that Insta worthy shot to make all your mates jealous. A few brave souls ventured into the freezing water (including The Hubs) but I wasn’t venturing further than knee deep.
Cathedral Cove Kayak Tours Treats On The Beach
Cathedral Cove Kayak Tours takes care of coffee lovers with a caffeine injection in the most gorgeous of surrounds. And this is not instant either. Brad offered a choice of 8 coffees and hot chocolate that he expertly prepared on the beach. Cathedral Cove Kayak Tours operate year round and this would be just what the doctor ordered on a chilly winters day. Delish!
Lunch At Hahei Beach
Kayaking Cathedral Cove sure works up an appetite and Catherdral Cove Kayak Tours are timed perfectly to either finish just before lunch or start just after. Pickings in Hahei are slim and we had our heart set on lunch at The Pour House but it was closed on the day we visited. Plan B was the the Coastal Co-Op where we grabbed a ‘Mr Fats Grunter’ pizza. Those with a sweet tooth won’t be able to resist one of the chocolate and sprinkled covered waffle cones. The chocolate milkshakes were pretty damn good as well.
Cathedral Cove Viewpoint
Just because you have been Cathedral Cove kayaking don’t forgo the opportunity to see the arch from above for a different perspective. The car park is tiny and fills up quickly so you may have a bit of a walk but the views are definitely worth it. If you are heading to NZ for the first time my New Zealand essentials post is a must read and bargain hunters should check out my tips on scoring a cheap flight before booking anything!
Have I convinced you to put Cathedral Cove Kayak Tours on your ‘to do’ list when you are next in New Zealand? I would love to hear you thoughts in the comments below.
Until Next Time …
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Disclaimer: I was a guest of Cathedral Cove Kayak Tours during my visit to New Zealand. As always, all opinions are my own.
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Dann Castillo says
This looks like such a dreamy tour! I particularly loved the cove and the treats on the beach, sounds like the perfect way to balance the day. I did some kayaking while I was in Croatia, but it wasn’t nearly as cool as this one. Our guide did not explain us everything and just let my friend and I handle the kayak without supervision even when we told him we had never done it before. Still, I love the experience and I would definitely do it again!
Medha Verma says
You managed to get some really gorgeous pictures of Cathedral Cove and I envy you for that! We were slightly unlucky on our trip, the weather was not so good, it was stormy and rainy and the worst thing was, I had injured my foot badly 5 days before travelling to New Zealand so even the short 2-km walk to the beach of Cathedral Cove was so painful for me! I would’ve loved to go kayaking, had the weather been better and the sea calmer. Cathedral Cove is one of the best places we visited on the North Island, despite the horrid weather. Thanks for bringing back such lovely memories.
AasaanJb says
Nice blog & thanks for sharing such a amazing details in this blog.
heidi says
The color of that water in Gemstone Bay is gorgeous! Adding a kayak tour as a must to our travels somewhere! Wow, what a beautiful day you had and the one thing that always worries me would be keeping up as well, so it’s nice that the guide really made sure everyone made it. And ice cream to finish it all up. A tasty end to a lovely trip.
neha says
The viewpoint, the beach and the food – all three look awesome. It is great that you get a guided tour here. That must make the experience all the better. Indeed New Zealand has amazing beaches with beautiful blue water.
Allison Smith says
We had the most perfect day Neha. Highly recommend Cathedral Cove Kayak Tours.
Sandy N Vyjay says
Kayaking at the Cove looks really enchanting. The pictures bring alive the spirit of the outdoors so typical of New Zealand. The view from the Cathedral Cove viewpoint is really spectacular. Would love to get on to a Kayak and cruise away on the inviting waters.
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
Hope you get the chance to soon Sandy ?
Soumya Nambiar says
Cathedral Cove looks so gorgeous. It must have been quite exciting to Kayak all the way there. If we have to walk, how many hours does it take? I would have loved Caffeine after a tired day kayaking.
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
It takes about 1 1/2 hours return to walk I believe Soumya. Kayaking was definitely a much better alternative! The Hubs and I were the only ones who chose hot chocolate over caffeine lol
Theresa says
Cathedral Cove looks gorgeous. New Zealand has been on my bucket list for a long time, namely for all of the natural outdoor beauty. Can’t wait to go!
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
I hope you get there soon Theresa!
Aubrie says
I absolutely loved New Zealand! But there are still so many areas I haven’t visited! I loved your pictures from this tour, the area looked really beautiful!
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
It really is stunning Aubrie. You need to go back lol
Shannalyn says
Oh my goodness, this looks amazing! I was just telling a friend I need to travel to New Zealand for a couple of weeks. I’m a scuba diver, so maybe I can do kayaking and scuba diving. Thank you so much for the inspiration.
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
Lots of great scuba diving sites Shannalyn. The Poor Knights is a stand out ?
Capturing Joy with Kristen Duke says
That looks like so much fun! The location is amazing, and a kayak trip is great exercise while exploring!
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
Exactly Kristen. The best of both worlds!
Viviane Feeney says
Looked like a lot of fun! There is nothing like kayaking (literally floating, actually) on the clear blue waters. & because my other favourite thing than travel is food/drink, the coffee & hot choc that Brad served was the cherry on the top in my opinion. What was your favourite part of the kayak?
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
The kayak sail was great fun and something I have never done before. The scenery at the cove was breathtaking!
Gemma says
This place looks so nice! Let’s hope I can visit when I go to NZ in the next couple of years π
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
I hope you make there Gemma!
Liz says
How stunning! – the color of the water is unreal! We visited NZ on our honeymoon from the States, and we were struck by how relatively empty the beaches were, at least on the South Island where we stayed. How lucky to practically have the place to yourselves; that makes for a much richer travel experience.
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
Totally agree Liz! Perhaps because it was Spring rather than the height of summer the crowds were down but we couldn’t have asked for a more perfect day!
Rhiannon says
Oh wow this place looks incredible!! Why is the water never that blue in the UK?! In fact, it’s never blue at all, more of a murky grey-green. Not exactly something you’d want to swim or kayak in!
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
Hahaha Rhiannon. I have to admit that I am not a fan of the beaches in the UK. I’m spoilt living in Sydney having great beaches on my doorstep but Cathedral Cove was a step above. The water was so clear. The only downfall was the temperature lol
Alice Cardy says
I haven’t been to New Zealand yet but I can’t wait to! I love kayaking so after your review, it’ll definitely be on the list of things to do! The cave part looks really nice!
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
Awesome Alice. I hope you enjoy Cathedral Cove Kayak Tours as much as we did ?
Rebecca says
These photos are stunning! The water is so incredibly turquoise. It looks so tropical, like you’re in Bali or Thailand. Can’t believe it’s NZ! Adding that to the bucket list xx
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
The beaches along the whole Coromandel coast were sensational but Cathedral Cove was a standout. Hope you are able to tick it off your bucket list soon ?
Abigail says
That is such a gorgeous escape to nature! I love beautiful spots that are remote too, because that often means less crowd. It’s not that I hate crowds, but you’d be able to enjoy the scenery more when you can get an unobstructed view of tourists trying to do selfies or take pictures. This is definitely a beautiful cove and those rock cliffs are breathtaking!
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
We were blessed to have very few people to share the beach with but I’m told in summer it gets quite busy!
Ling says
I went to New Zealand several years ago and drove from the south part of the island up to Christchurch. But I never got to the coasts and I don’t think I would’ve imaged Crystal Cove looking like this! It really looks like something that could be seen in Southeast Asia so it’s surprising but also looks really beautiful! What kind of fish did you see and can you scuba dive there? Thanks for sharing!
Ling says
Oops, I mean Cathedral Cove! Still thinking of my Iceland trip π
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
Yes you can scuba! I have my open water dive card but it wasn’t to be this time around!
Rashmi & Chalukya says
Fabulous day as you mentioned not a single cloud and sky is in perfect blue color. Awesome pictures and must say NZ is a natural beauty. And so cool that you may even spot Orcas π
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
It was a bit disappointing to learn we missed the Orcas by only two weeks but that’s how unpredictable nature is! NZ really is beautiful Rashmi ?
Hendrik says
Kayaking in New Zealand and in such an area, that looks like paradise… You definitely envy me with this π
Truly, New Zealand is anyway on my list since a linger time already and the more I see about this beautiful, diverse place, the more urgent I want to see it with my own eyes. Glad to see that you had such a great time there!
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
Hope you get there soon Hendrik. ?
Finja says
Hi Allison,
Wow it must have beenn such an amazing trip, thanks for taking me with you.
The kayaking must have been amazing and i can see how you were scared at first, Brad must have been a great help!
And I couldnt help but imagine how amazing it must have been at the gemstone bay, as well as the food afterwards.
Going to New Zaeland is high in my bucket list and I’ll remember going to the south island.
Cheers,
Finja
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
Hi Finja. Brad was awesome. We couldn’t have hoped for a better guide. Gemstone Bay was lovely and next time we go I’ll be sure and do the snorkel trail. The Coromandel is actually in the North Island and I hope you get to NZ soon ?
Nuria Vidal says
Wow! This looks absolutely fun! I would love to go to this place and make my Instagram friends jealous with photos like those! haha
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
Hahaha Nuria it’s all about social media these day ? Hope you make to to Cathedral Cove soon!
kathy (from walkaboutwanderer.com) says
I love kayaking but I too have a problem with my arms the next day. But it is always great fun. I can’t believe you got so many coffee choices. I would have ended up wanting to try them all.
It sounds like you had a great time.
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
I’m not a coffee drinker Kathy so I opted for the hot chocolate. We had a fantastic day. I’d love to go back and try one of their other tours ?
James Smith says
Allison, I have a question about the second photo you posted at Hahei beach. What is that yellow thing in the photo and did you put it there? I’m glad you mentioned parking because I hate looking for places to park, especially in new places. Coromandel Peninsula sure is beautiful and you were lucky with the deep blue sky! I hope you didn’t get blisters from all the kayaking. I think with all the food you had afterwards you ate more calories than you burned!
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
Hi James. Lol no I didn’t put it there ? The yellow thing is a flag marking the meeting point for water taxis. We got the very last spot available on the day and it was quiet when we visited. The sky was incredible! No sunburn this time and yes we did have a very generous lunch lol
Ticker Eats The World says
Such a wonderful day trip and full of beauty and adventure. NZ besides being beautiful has really come up as an adventure destination and this is more my kind of an adventure – less death defying – but equally pretty. Kayak tours are on a rise the world over and rightly so. They add a bit of exercise and the chance to “hidden” nature. Beautiful post.
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
This was my second time to NZ but won’t be my last! There is so much to see and the kayak tour was the perfect way to get to Cathedral Cove. We had a fantastic guide and a perfect day ?