Hot bathtub at the beach
Hahei is a wonderful little unspoiled coastal settlement, 35 km by road from Whitianga. A shorter route is via the ferry from Whitianga. Both Hahei and Cooks Beach have wonderful beaches in their own right, especially Hahei Beach that looks over a wealth of islands and rock outcrops. But the real jewel in the region’s crown, indeed perhaps for the whole peninsula, is the amazing Cathedral Cove, which guards the Te Whanganui-A-Hei Marine Reserve; watching the sunrise here is an unforgettable experience. Access is by boat or a half-hour walk. The track starts from a glorious lookout point just north of Hahei on Grange Road. Tracts of native bush and pine have to be negotiated before the path falls, almost literally, to the beach. It is actually two beaches connected by a natural rock arch (negotiable at low tide). There are sandstone pinnacles on both beaches, with the highest pinnacle, Sail Rock, on the western beach. Although the beach can get very busy it offers great sunbathing, swimming and scenery, and it is very difficult to drag yourself away.
