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Te Whanganui-A-Hei (Cathedral Cove) Marine Reserve

Kayak trip to Cathedral Cove - click for more.
Cathedral Cove is in a marine reserve, so it's beautiful both above and below the water.
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This magnificent marine reserve runs from the northern end of Hahei Beach to Cook Bluff Scenic Reserve. While there is no vehicle access, a highly scenic walking track follows the coast from Hahei to Cathedral Cove. You can stop off at Gemstone Bay, Stingray Bay and Mares Leg on the way.

Gemstone Bay is the site of an excellent snorkelling trail. Snorkellers can swim to a series of marker buoys that carry information about the species you can expect to encounter. For example, at buoy three snorkellers can hope to see marblefish, butterfish and red moki hiding in a seaweed city. The position of each buoy coincides with different habitats within the bay.

Scuba divers enjoy the reserve for its wonderful sponge gardens and reef systems. Crayfish and black angel fish hide in the cracks and crevices of reefs around Mahurangi Island. In the large boulder fields near Motueka Island, curious schools of sweep may follow divers.

Delicate corals, usually found at depth, are close to the surface in Poikeke Island cave. Closer to shore, brittle starfish might be found on rocky platforms and red moki graze amid forests of seaweed. Predators, like the leather-jacket, pick their food from a range of smaller animals.

Beautiful Cathedral Cove beach is an idyllic destination for picnics and swimming.
 


 
COROMANDEL Region


Contact Details

Contact: Department of Conservation
Phone:
 7 8679 180
Fax: 7 8679 181
Postal: PO Box 343, Thames 3540
Website: www.doc.govt.nz/templates/podcover.
aspx?id=33803
Contact: Coromandel i-SITE Visitor Centre
Phone: +64 7 8668 598
Fax: +64 7 8667 285
Postal: 355 Kapanga Road Coromandel
Website: www.coromandeltown.co.nz

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