Well known for being the entry point to the iconic Cathedral Cove, Hahei Beach has become a popular holiday spot in the Coromandel with its endless number of things to do.
Being only a 30 minute drive from Whitianga, its accessibility from nearby towns makes Hahei perfect for a few nights stay or just a day trip.
This beautiful location has an awesome selection of things to do, from boat trips and walks to cafes and breweries. Hahei beach really does tick all the boxes.
Best things to do in Hahei
Being a beach town in the Coromandel, many of the best things to do in Hahei incorporate the water. However, there are some epic activities for when it’s not beach weather.
We know that Hahei has plenty of amazing things to do, but what are the very best ones?
Check out this list of the very best things to do in Hahei.
1. Visit Cathedral Cove – the iconic thing to do in Hahei
The tracks to Cathedral Cove are temporarily closed to damage from Cyclone Gabriele. Access to the beach is from the sea only. Visitors are advised to stay away from the cliffs and arch way. Check out the DOC website for more information and updates.
If there is anywhere in the Coromandel that almost everyone knows about it is Cathedral Cove. This iconic spot has been made famous by its incredible arch way that connects the two beaches.
Known for being a filming location for The Chronicles of Narnia movies, it is easy to see why this fairytale like place is one of the best things to do in Hahei.
Snap that unforgettable photo in the arch with the rock pillars standing tall in the background. Then, explore the other side and look back down the beach to enjoy the arch from a different angle.
Don’t forget to sit back and relax. The stunning white sand and sparkling blue waters make this beach a great place to chill out for the day.
There is about a 45 minute walk from the drop off zone at the top of the cliffs down to the beach. This walk is not difficult but it does get a bit hilly.
2. Walk up Te Pare Point Historic Reserve
If you are looking for amazing views of Hahei and up the Coromandel Peninsular, then a walk up to the Te Pare Point Historic Reserve is one of the best things to do.
Te Pare Point is located at the other end of the beach to the walk to Cathedral Cove. The walk is fairly easy and is less than 20 minutes one way.
This walk takes you up a picturesque track to the remains of two well known Ngati Hei Pā. From here you get almost 360 degree views of Hahei and Te Wanganui O Hei Marine Reserve.
The grassy area has uninterrupted views and is a great spot relax for a bit and maybe even have a picnic. Or explore a little and find some of the best views down the coast.
Being only a short track, a walk up to Te Pare Point Historic Reserve is a great activity for anyone to do in Hahei.
3. the Hahei Explorer – Most Unique thing to do in Hahei
Eager to explore more of the coastline around Hahei? Then the Hahei Explorer is the best activity for you to do.
Jump on board a 10 person boat and enjoy the ride as you get taken to all the best spots accessible by boat around Hahei. Visit Orua Sea Cave, Mahurangi Island and of course Cathedral Cove.
Only one hour long, this tour is great for those that want to see a whole lot of cool spots in a short amount of time.
Book your tour for 2 hours either side of low tide for the chance to go into some of the coolest caves along this stretch of coastline.
The crew is awesome and they will ensure you have a fun experience while also learning a lot about the area at the same time. If you are lucky you might even spot some cool wildlife along the way.
The Hahei Explorer departs from the south end of Hahei beach six times a day in summer and 4 times in winter.
Make sure to book in so you don’t miss out on one of the best things to do in Hahei this summer.
4. Spend the evening at Pour house
After a long day exploring in the sun, there is nothing better than a nice cold drink and great meal. A visit to The Pour House is one of the things to do when in Hahei.
The Pour house is a family friendly craft brewery, distillery, bar and restaurant right in the heart of Hahei.
With plenty of covered outdoor seating, The Pour House is a very popular option for everyone in the area. Relax with family, friends and even pets in this beautiful garden setting.
Order a tasty pizza and drink, then enjoy your surroundings and finish off the day in the best way.
During the holidays The Pour House can get busy, so please book in advance.
5. Visit the Art Gallery
The Lawnmowers Son is an art gallery located in the heart of Hahei and has a range of art, jewellery, sculptures and garden art.
A visit to the Lawnmowers is a great little extra thing to do while in Hahei. The gallery may be small but it does showcase some of the best art from a wide range of New Zealand artists.
Spend some time here if you love checking out some local artwork, or as an awesome rainy day activity.
6. Beach Hop – Best Free thing to do in Hahei
The Coromandel is a popular holiday spot mostly because of its wide range of stunning beaches. From quiet coves to lively surf beaches, it’s no surprise that the Coromandel has some of the best beaches in New Zealand.
Visiting these beaches from Hahei is very easy and spending the day beach hopping is a great thing to do to see the best beaches the Coromandel has to offer.
You don’t have to drive far to check out some of the beaches close to Hahei. These include Cooks Beach, Tairua and the very popular Hot Water Beach.
If you don’t mind traveling a bit further then Crayfish Bay and New Chums Beach are also awesome spots to visit.
Spending time on Hahei Beach is a great thing to do on its own. But it is definitely worth making the time to visit some of the many cool beaches in the Coromandel.
7. Cathedral Cove Kayaks Tour
Exploring the coast with Cathedral Cove Kayaks is one of the most adventurous ways to enjoy this beautiful area of the Coromandel.
Cathedral Cove Kayaks have been operating since 1999 sharing the stunning coastline with visitors in a fun, informative and sustainable way.
Operating all year round, Cathedral Cove Kayak Tours caters to all ages, nationalities and abilities.
Tours run for 3 hours beginning and ending on Hahei Beach. You with then kayak out with your group to Te Wanganui O Hei Marine Reserve to explore the abundance of beaches, islands and rock gardens.
Stop for refreshments at the iconic Cathedral Cove and take in the breathtaking surroundings.
The Cathedral Cove Kayaks team ensure safety is at the top of their priority list for everyone on the tour. Double kayaks are also used ensure children and the whole family can have fun while keeping safe at the same time.
Make sure to add a kayaking tour with Cathedral Cove Kayaks to your list of things to do in Hahei.
8. Snorkel/diving tour – Most Adventurous thing to do in Hahei
Looking to get in the water and see the marine life? Then Cathedral Cove Dive and Snorkel in Hahei is the thing to do.
Offering scuba diving and snorkelling, Cathedral Cove Dive and Snorkel take trips both into the marine reserve and to other areas along the coastline.
Home to some of the best diving and snorkelling spots in the Coromandel, the underwater scenery off Hahei certainly doesn’t disappoint. There is everything from huge fish and crayfish, to eels, stingrays and colourful sponges.
The dive trips, for certified divers, go out up to 3 times a day. All levels of divers are welcome and catered for through the wide range of dive spots.
The snorkelling trips are perfect for those who love the underwater world but do not have dive qualifications. Experience the stunning marine life with highly trained instructors helping you to enjoy your beautiful surroundings.
The Cathedral Cove Dive and Snorkel trips can get busy especially in the summer months so make sure to book your trip in advance.
9. Relax on Hahei Beach
One of the most simple and laid back things to do in Hahei is to spend a day at the beach.
The soft white sand makes for a perfect spot to set up for the day with sections of the beach also having shade from the trees for those that need it.
There is also plenty of space for beach games due to the large size and length of the sandy area on Hahei Beach.
The water here is generally calm and safe but sometimes waves can be a little strong. Children should always be supervised in the water. In summer, lifeguards are on patrol so please swim between the flags.
10. The church Bistro
The Church Bistro is a family run restaurant located in the original church building relocated form Taumarunui.
The food is influenced by the families upbringing in Brazil and their experience in Portugal, India, The Netherlands and of course New Zealand.
Being an old church, the classic look to the building gives it a quirky charm and adds character to the restaurant. The original windows, floors and Kauri beams stand out in the amazing building.
Being one of the only restaurants in the area, The Church Bistro does book out so to ensure a table make a reservation in advance.
11. Explore the Rock pools
At the south end of Hahei Beach you will find a large rocky area at the base of the cliffs. At low tide this area turns into an awesome spot for rock pools where you can look for a variety of marine life.
This simple activity is one thing a lot of people don’t even think about doing in Hahei and many people don’t even head down to this end of the beach.
Crabs, small fish and colourful shells are jut some of the cool finds in the rock pools.
Please remember to not take anything from the beach or rock pools and leave them as you found them.
Wrap up – Things to do in Hahei
A true hidden gem in the Coromandel, Hahei really does have some of the best things to do along the coast. These are some of my favourite things to do in Hahei and I am sure they will become your favourites too.
