Next 8 Events in Mercury Bay

Coastguard Boating Education Courses Whitianga

To ensure your safety and enjoyment at sea, Coastguard Boating Education provides ...

Scheduled

Event Date

October 31, 2020 - 8:30am to 4:30pm

Halloween Trick or Treating Friendly Houses

Dress up in your best Halloween outfit and join the trick or treaters Halloween in...

Scheduled

Event Date

October 31, 2020 - 4:00pm

American Muscle Car Meeting - Classic Cars Whitianga

Bring along your old and new American cars, trucks and motorcycles for a great Ame...

Scheduled

Event Date

November 01, 2020 - 11:00am

New

Hahei First Sunday Open Studios

During October, November and December, four Hahei artists are opening their studio...

Scheduled

Event Date

November 01, 2020 - 11:00am to 4:00pm

New

Driver Refresher Course

If you are aged over 60 and would like a refresher to update your knowledge then c...

Scheduled

Event Date

November 06, 2020 - 9:00am to 1:00pm

New

Whitianga Gun Club - Business House Competition

Get your workmates together and enter a team in the Business House Competition at ...

Scheduled

Event Date

November 07, 2020 - 9:30am

Lukes Kitchen - Gigs

Luke's Kitchen is hosting live music fortnightly over the winter - enjoy some food...

Scheduled

Event Date

November 08, 2020 - 5:00pm

New

Mercury Bay Big Band Concert

Whitianga's own Big Band and Dixeland Band will be performing some great tunes at ...

Scheduled

Event Date

November 08, 2020 - 3:00pm to 5:00pm

Explore Hahei & Cathedral Cove

Hahei – stunning beaches, marine reserve and the iconic Cathedral Cove.

Hahei is a popular beach settlement that is host to beautiful sandy beaches, clear waters and the famous Cathedral Cove.

All About Hahei & Cathedral Cove

How to get there

By car

You can get to Hahei by car following SH25, near Whenuakite there is a major intersection which is well sign posted which will take you directly to Hahei.

Getting to Cathedral Cove

Cathedral Cove walkway – Follow the signposted walkway which starts at the top of Grange Road. Note that from Oct to the end of April the Grange Rd car park is designated as drop off only. Visitors should park at the Visitor Car Park at the entrance to Hahei and then either walk from there or take the shuttle bus.
Cathedral Cove Water Taxi leaves from the beach in front of Hahei carpark to Cathedral Cove every 30 minutes. Look for yellow & black flags which mark the pick up and drop off points. Note the taxi does not operate during rough weather.
Cathedral Cove Kayak provides a variety of sea kayaking tour options to paddle to Cathedral Cove that suit all ages.

Other transport

See the Getting Around Guide for a range of options.

Things to do for the kids

If you need an alternative from beach activities Hahei Village Green playground is a perfect port of call and is also adjacent to cafes, ice cream shops and a tennis court.

Where to grab a bite and drink

For options nearby visit our Restaurants and Bars guide.

View Guide

For a selection of cottages or a three bedroom house The Church accommodation is conveniently located in the village close to amenities and the beach. You can also check out accommodation nearby listed in our Accommodation Guide.

View Guide

Shopping

The Hahei General Store is a one-stop shop for everyday items, petrol and local advice.

Must Do's

Pack a backpack with all of your beach essentials and take a magnificent walk to Cathedral Cove - approximately 1.5 hours return from the signposted walkway at the top of Grange Road. During the summer period the Grange Road car park is drop off only - parking is available at the Visitor Car Park at the entrance to Hahei. On your walk to Cathedral Cove you can take a detour along the way and visit Stingray Bay (20minutes one way). Make sure you don’t forget your camera!
Set yourself up with a beach towel on Hahei Beach for the day and enjoy some quality beach time.

Local Tips

The intricate caves and underwater arches in the Te Whanganui a Hei Marine Reserve offer excellent diving and snorkelling. At Gemstone Bay you can enjoy the snorkel trail which is designed for all snorkelling abilities from novices to the experienced.
The annual April Hahei Tractor Bash has family fun activities including an impressive tractor parade.

Boat Ramps

Hahei tractor boat ramp - accessible from Wigmore Crescent with trailer parking close by – note this ramp is swell dependent.

Public Toilets

Green, Hahei Beach Rd.
Beach Toilets, Hahei Beach Rd.
Wigmore Stream, Pa Rd.
Kotare Reserve, Pa Rd (for sports events only).

Campervan waste dumping locations

Hahei Holiday Resort.
Hot Water Beach Holiday Park.

More About Hahei & Cathedral Cove

Hahei has an amazing coastline offering fantastic scenic views and recreational places for people to interact with nature like the Hahei Marine Reserve – Te Whanganui-A-Hei which covers nine square kilometres and is administered by the Department of Conservation.

Hahei is a very enterprising community with art galleries and gift shops, scenic boat trips, walking tracks, and restaurants and cafes to tantalise your taste buds. Hahei has a variety of accommodation to suit all budgets from holiday parks, back packers, self contained holiday homes, motel, apartments, lodges, bed and breakfast.