My Coromandel Travel Guide: Favourite Places + Local Tips
Planning a Coromandel trip and not sure which spots are actually worth the drive? With so many beaches on the peninsula, it’s hard to know where to start.
On my North Island roadie, we turned up at Hot Water Beach just as the tide was coming in, so we had to come back a couple of days later to dig our own hot pool.
That’s the thing with the Coromandel. A bit of timing and local knowledge makes a big difference.
So here are my favourite places on the peninsula, plus the local tips I’d want a friend to know before going.
Quick Answer: My Top Coromandel Picks
⭐⭐⭐ Where should you stay? Hot Water Beach TOP 10 Holiday Park puts you close to the hot pools, and it’s one of the places you can hire a spade. Check prices & availability →
⭐⭐ Best thing to book? A Cathedral Cove kayak tour from Hahei, the easiest way to see the bays without fighting for a park. Check availability →
Hot Water Beach
On my North Island roadie we started our trip to the Coromandel from Auckland.
After a couple of hours drive we arrived at Hot Water Beach in Hahei, only to be told we were a little late and the tide was about to come in.
We decided to visit back a couple of days later and time it for when the tide was out.
If you dig down in certain spots on the beach you will reach hot springs!
Don’t be deceived by its name, the whole beach isn’t hot but it is still an awesome place.
We found the spot, which was at times too hot, like boiling water hot!
The water can be up to 64 degrees Celsius.
Beware that a lot of people have the same idea in the summer, and remember to check when the tide goes out otherwise you won’t be able to dig because you’ll be in the middle of the ocean!
If you want to join in on the fun you can hire spades from Hot Waves Café, Hotties Café or at the Top 10 Holiday Park.
The springs are in front of the massive rocks. I’m sure you won’t miss it because everyone will be standing in the same area!
Where I’d Stay in the Coromandel
(⭐⭐⭐ = my top pick)
⭐⭐⭐ Hot Water Beach TOP 10 Holiday Park: Pick this one if you want to be close to the hot pools. You can hire your spade here, and it’s one of the best-reviewed places to stay at Hot Water Beach. Check prices & availability →
⭐⭐ Waterfront Apartments Whitianga: Pick this one if you want a bit more comfort. The apartments are on the Whitianga waterfront by Buffalo Beach, a handy base for the Cathedral Cove cruises. Check prices & availability →
⭐ Hot Water Beach Bure Wera: Pick this one if you want something a little unique. It’s a Pacific-style bure at Hot Water Beach, and one of the highest-rated stays in the area. Check prices & availability →
Cathedral Cove
Another hot spot in the Coromandel is Cathedral Cove. It’s only a 5-minute drive from Hot Water Beach.
It’s a great day out and absolutely beautiful on a summer’s day.
It takes around an hour’s walk to get to Cathedral Cove with many other beaches you can have a look at on the way. Opt to spend the day there and you can visit them all!
A popular option is to do a kayaking tour which can start at $95 per person.
You can kayak for an hour or even half a day if you wanted, with a guided tour around the bays. Parking is very difficult around Cathedral Cove and especially in the summer.
The strong waves ripped my bikini bottoms off leaving me half naked and revealing my derriere to the nation!
3 Coromandel Experiences I’d Book Right Away
🛶 Cathedral Cove Kayak Tour from Hahei: Pick this one if you want to see Cathedral Cove from the water. You paddle around the bays with a guide, and refreshments are included. Check availability →
🚤 Cathedral Cove and Volcanic Coast Cruise: Pick this one if you’d rather sit back and enjoy the view. It’s a 2-hour cruise from Whitianga along the coast to Cathedral Cove. Check availability →
✨ Coromandel Guided Zipline Tour: Pick this one if you want something a little unique. You zip over the native bush near Coromandel Town with a guide. Check availability →
Waikawau Bay
After a great day soaking up the rays, we then drove right up north to a place called Waikawau Bay, where there is an enormous DOC (Department of Conservation) camping site.
We were lucky as there was hardly anyone there so we had the beach all to ourselves.
Enjoy some body boarding or go rock pooling and find some little creatures!
At night-time you can hear the kiwi scuttling about around the tents. It’s pretty amazing!
I would highly recommend this campsite and the people who run it are lovely.
With 338 tent sites, and 21 powered sites, you’ll find plenty of spots to camp.
It’s right on the beach and is totally worth paying $10 per person for the night.
The road to this campground is all gravel and I would advise caution when driving these roads.
At the top of the mountains you get a handful of beautiful views so have your camera handy so you can quickly pull over and take a snap.
Kauaeranga Valley
Our last stop in the Coromandel Peninsula was the DOC campground called Kauaeranga Visitor Centre.
This is another huge place with 8 different campsites within the visitor centre.
We stayed at a beautiful spot with the river right next to us so we could have either chilly morning or afternoon swims!
There are loads of good walks around this area too so if you want to do some exploring this is a great place to stay!
My Number One Tip: Hire a Car for Full Flexibility
The Coromandel is much easier to explore with your own wheels, especially if you want to get right up north to places like Waikawau Bay.
Check here for the best car rental companies and prices for your Coromandel trip →
Final Thoughts
I hope this inspired some of you to check out the Coromandel Peninsula in New Zealand.
If you are wanting to camp around New Zealand, pop into one of the information centres and grab a DOC pamphlet.
They have a really good map of the country with all the campsites and detailed information about them.
If you get stuck you can also find excellent information on their website as well.
