North Island · Explorer’s field notes
How to Hahei & Hot Water Beach
Cathedral Cove's marble arch, and a beach where you dig your own hot pool at low tide — the Coromandel at its most magical.
Hahei & Hot Water Beach videos from the Hôtel du Van founders are coming soon to the Stay Scene channel.
AVOID · Hahei & Hot Water Beach
What to avoid in Hahei & Hot Water Beach
- Driving to Cathedral Cove's closed car park — use the Hahei park-and-ride in summer.
- The Hot Water Beach car park at peak low tide — arrive an hour early.
- SH25A without checking for slips and road works.
The top ten
Where to go, eat & take coffee
Places to explore, eat and stock up along the way.
- 1See & do
Hot Water Beach
Two hours either side of low tide, dig a spa in the sand as thermal water rises.
Pye Place, Hot Water Beach 3591 
2See & doCathedral Cove
The famous arch — reach it by water taxi or kayak when the track is restricted.
Grange Road, Hahei 3591
3See & doCathedral Cove Kayak Tours
Paddle the marine reserve past sea caves to the cove.
88 Hahei Beach Road, Hahei 3591
4See & do
5See & do
6See & doShakespeare Cliff Lookout
Where Cook observed the transit of Mercury in 1769.
Purangi Road, Cooks Beach 3591
7EatThe Pour House
Hot Water Brewing Co's taproom — craft beer and wood-fired food.
7 Moewai Road, Whenuakite 3591
8Eat
9Coffee
10CoffeeHot Waves Café
Garden café a short walk from the hot sands; hire spades here.
8 Pye Place, Hot Water Beach 3591
Do not make these mistakes!
1. Going at high tide
The hot springs are under water. Check the tide table — it's two hours either side of low tide only.
2. Swimming at Hot Water Beach
It has some of the most dangerous rips in New Zealand. Soak, don't swim.
3. Freedom camping at Hahei
It's banned and patrolled. Book the Hahei Holiday Resort or a certified site.
Continue the voyage
Photos are AI-generated illustrations. Opening hours and rules change — check before you go.