The Beach World of Hahei and Cathedral Cove

Hahei is an attractive beach fringed with pohutukawas and drifts of pink shells at the northern end. Offshore islands provide a breakwater for ideal swimming, boating and fishing.

To get to Cathedral Cove, you'll need to take a hike. The Cathedral is a gigantic arched cavern that penetrates the headland between two coves. It gives an air of grandeur to the whole of the beach. The headland is the site of an ancient Maori pa (fortified village). The beach is sandy with a pohutukawa backdrop - a perfect place for a picnic followed by a swim. Offshore a little way is a large pinnacle of pumice breccia known as "Te Hoho". Delicately sculptured by wind and water to form a most impressive and unusual sight, it looks a bit like the prow of a large ship steaming into the beach.