Cathedral Cove is a unique natural highlight, in our opinion one of the most beautiful in Coromandel.
Over thousands of years, the sea ate through the soft rock and created a large, arch-shaped tunnel with a high ceiling reminiscent of a cathedral. Not only the arch itself, but also the beach in front of and behind the rock is beautiful. Here you can swim, picnic or take a walk on the beach. You can also visit Cathedral Cove on a tour by kayak or glass-bottom boat.
If you’re a fan of The Chronicles of Narnia, you may recognize this iconic setting. This is where the scene was filmed for the second movie when Edmund, Susan, William and Lucy reach Narnia for the second time.
If you feel like a short hike, you can walk from Hahei Beach to Cathedral Cove in just over an hour.
There is also the option of walking to Cathedral Cove from the car park a little inland. According to the signs, it takes three quarters of an hour, but I only needed 30 minutes at a leisurely pace. The path is asphalted and very easy to walk.
On the way, you pass two other bays that are also well worth seeing.
Stingray Bay is a long sandy beach with a large rock grotto at the far end. The name of the bay comes from the stingrays that occasionally cavort in the shallow water to enjoy the warm sun.