From stunning white sandy beaches to bush walks and the blue Pacific Ocean, the Coromandel Peninsula is perfect for walks, swimming, kayaking, boating and fishing, cycling and mountain biking. Hahei is one of the best beach locations to enjoy all this from. As mentioned already, it is a short stroll from Hahei Boathouse to enjoy the white sand of Hahei beach and its clear blue water. It’s also only one hour’s walk to the world famous Cathedral Cove and a five minute drive (8 km) to Hot Water Beach. If you wish to play golf, just head north. It will take you five minutes to drive (7 km) to the nine-hole golf course at Purangi. You can launch your boat on the beach at Hahei (if your towing vehicle can go on the sand) or drive around to Cooks Beach (12 km) to use its concrete ramp. All this and more (see below) are in easy reach of Hahei Boathouse.
When you return after your day’s activities, you will enjoy the peaceful, restful private setting at Hahei Boathouse.
Hahei Village
The shopping centre includes:
Hahei General Store
The local convenience store opens daily selling all sorts of things like: food, milk, ice cream, phone cards, postal services, DVD rentals, toys, some pharmacy goods, beer, wine, petrol, diesel – just loads of stuff! Phone 07 866 3885
Hahei Takeaways
Located at the front of the Hahei General Store, the takeaways shop is only open during the summer and with limited hours for fish and chips, and burgers. Phone 07 866 3885
Beach Habitat
This shop offers for sale an interesting range of gifts, art, toys, postcards, etc. It even has a delicatessen with fabulous kitchenware. The shop is open seven days. Phone 07 866 3033
Hahei Beach Cafe
The Hahei Beach cafe is open seven days for beautiful coffee, freshly baked scones and muffins, lovely cabinet food, breakfast, and lunch. Phone 07 866 3016
Madden’s Ice Cream Parlour & Pizzeria
Pizza, ice cream, toasted sandwiches, hot dogs, milkshakes, and ice teas are all available at Madden’s. Phone 07 866 3088
The Church Restaurant
The Church restaurant is a converted 1916 Methodist Church and is situated on the right just as you drive into Hahei. It offers excellent evening meals and is fully licensed offering distinctive and exceptional New Zealand bottled craft beers, and wines. Phone 07 866 3533
The Pour House
Coromandel Brewing Company’s bar sells it own well-crafted beers as well as other beers, wines, and spirits. They also have a great bar menu.
Hahei Activities
Cathedral Cove Kayak Tours
The sea kayaking tours leave from Hahei beach for Cathedral Cove. Explore sea caves and marine reserves. Enjoy bird watching, and meeting friendly dolphins. Now and again orca whales cruise by! You can join a two and one-half hour tour, but other tours are available. For more details visit www.seakayaktours.co.nz, and bookings are essential. Phone 0800 529 5258 or text 0274 430 266.
Hahei Explorer
Take the Hahei Explorer for a coastal boat trip from Hahei beach. This one-hour trip covers 14 km allowing you to see the rugged volcanic coastline, sea caves, blow holes, and various bird and marine life. Bookings are essential. Phone Shane on 07 866 3910
Cathedral Cove Dive & Snorkel
Visit Cathedral Cove Dive and Snorkel at their shop in the Hahei village. See Wendy to hire, buy, or service your dive equipment, snorkeling gear, surfboards, and bikes. You can have your dive bottles filled at the shop, or you can buy your fish bait there. If you want to see the coloured fish and have an underwater tour, or take a PADI dive course to learn something new, just ask for Russ at the front desk. Check www.hahei.co.nz/diving for more details. Phone 07 866 3955
Fishing
Bring your fishing gear to Hahei. Check the moon, check the Maori fishing calendar, and ask the locals about the fishing spots.
Tennis
There are two all-weather courts in the village available. You have to book though, and to do so contact Wendy at the Cathedral Cove Dive & Snorkel shop. Phone 07 866 3955
Walking
You can walk to spectacular Cathedral Cove from the carpark at the top of Grange Road. Or you can walk from Hahei Boathouse: walk down to Hahei beach, along the beach to the northern end to a set of stairs under a Pohutukawa tree. This track will bring up up to the carpark.
Or, you can walk down to Hahei beach, along the beach to the southern end, across the wee creek, to a set of stairs. This track takes up to Te Pare point – “the Pa”. There are spectacular views from the top of the Pa.
Hahei Community Library (Florence Harsant Library)
The library is located at the community centre in Hahei. Its opening hours are Monday to Saturday from 10.00 am to 12 noon. Everyone is welcome. If you have a query, phone Carol on 07 866 3385.
Internet
Accessible only by foot, boat, or kayak, the famous Cathedral Cove is one of the “must visit” sites on the Coromandel Peninsula. Cathedral Cove Marine Reserve, Te Whanganui-A-Hei, covers nine square kilometres and is New Zealand’s sixth marine reserve. It is administered by the Department of Conservation (DOC).
This site was chosen for a marine reserve because of the rich and varied habitats associated with the coastline and outlying islands. Reefs of hard rock, soft sediments, intricate caves, and underwater arches provide homes for complex communities of plants, crustacea, molluscs, and fish. Sheltered from the worst of the southerly winds, Te Whanganui-A-Hei gives visitors an opportunity to learn from, and enjoy, an unspoiled marine environment. To find out more, check the DOC website.
Kayaking within the Te Whanganui-A-Hei Marine Reserve
Most take the spectacular coastal walk into Cathedral Cove, but another way is by
kayak. This allows you to explore the breathtaking coastline and the reserve. The picturesque limestone cliffs, superb volcanic coastline, clear water, and the abundant marine life of the marine reserve blend to create one of New Zealand’s best kayaking trips. As you kayak through the marine reserve, your guides will also take you through limestone archways, into sea caves, and they will even serve you a café-quality cappuccino once you reach the Cathedral Cove beach! The area is rich in stories from the many navigators who first discovered the Mercury Bay; like Cook, Kupe, and Hei, who the marine reserve is named after.Cathedral Cove Walk
You will discover magnificent scenery as you walk (two hour return trip) the track adjacent to the marine reserve to Cathedral Cove. The main track gives you access to Gemstone Bay – the snorkel trail is situated here – Stingray Bay, Mares Leg Cove, and Cathedral Cove. You may start walking from Hahei beach (the western end of the beach) or from the car park at the top end of Grange Road (turn left at the Hahei General Store).
Hot Water Beach is one of New Zealand’s top attractions, and it is only a five-minute drive from Hahei. Use the spade provided at Hahei Boathouse and dig yourself a hot pool in the sand at low tide. Hot springs bubbling under the s
and will fill your pool with natural, thermal hot water. You are best to start digging your pool at Hot Water Beach one to two hours before low tide then you
can soak until about two hours after low tide! Please note that the hot water only comes up between two rocks in a small spot on the beach right under the rock cliff face. And what’s more, you can enjoy this activity all year – even in the winter months – day or night. Plus, it’s free. Pity though, the ocean waves of every high tide wash the home-made spa pools away.Click here to check the tide times.
Surf’s Up!
Hot Water Beach is also well known as a top surfing spot with the Pacific Ocean swells. You will see the surfers waiting for the perfect wave off the beach. Swimming in the surf can be dangerous; so, take care. Do follow the guidance of the surf lifesaving guards. We advise you do not swim at night. If the sea and tide conditions are not right for swimming or digging your spa pool, then take the three kilometre walk along the isolated white sandy beach.
