Hahei and Hahei Beach are often overshadowed by their world-famous neighbour, Cathedral Cove. But it's a New Zealand must-do in its own right.

Its pristine white sand, shady pohutukawa trees, and calm, clear water make it the perfect place to bring your family and spend a day at the beach.

Things to do in Hahei

At the northern end of the beach is a marine reserve with plenty of opportunities for snorkelling or diving. The beach has tour operators dotted around, each offering kayaking and snorkelling tours.

At the southern end of Hahei Beach is the Te Pare historic reserve, which is the site of an ancient Maori pā (fortified village).

If you plan to stay in Hahei longer than a day, you'll find gorgeous accommodation options (including Hahei Beach Resort!), cafes, restaurants and boutique shops. No matter how long you're here, you HAVE to go to Hahei General Store and order their real fruit ice cream.

Visiting Cathedral Cove

If you want to visit Cathedral Cove while you're here, it's a short drive up a steep hill from Hahei Beach. Paid parking is available at the top, and from there, it's a beautiful 2.5km walk following the coastline. If you're not a hiker, you can also catch a water taxi directly from Hahei Beach. Water taxis run every 30 minutes in the summer months and costs $80 per adult for a return journey.

How to get there

Hahei is located on the eastern side of the Coromandel Peninsula, about 2.5 hours from Auckland, 2 hours from Hamilton, and 2.5 hours from Tauranga.

Once you arrive, there’s plenty of free parking around the beach. But it fills up fast in the summer! If you're heading to Cathedral Cove, you’ll need to park at the designated Cathedral Cove Park & Ride area in Hahei and take a shuttle up the hill (available during peak months). Alternatively, you can walk up to the start of the Cathedral Cove walking track, which will take around 20 minutes.