COROMANDEL NEW ZEALAND
Waikawua, Port Charles,Jacksons bay, Fletchers and Fantail bay
The Northern most areas of the Coromandel. If the outdoors is you type of relaxation then this is the jewel of the Coromandel.
Care needs to be taken driving the roads, as most are narrow loose metal. But the scenery and beaches are beautiful. The roads hug the coast with Pohutakawa trees lining the waters edge. Views of the Huaraki Gulf and islands of the Coromandle abound.
Camping is the main accommodation offered , with spots at most beaches. Toilets are available and some offer shower facilities. Fletchers bay have a back packers accommodation also available.
The whole area is a fisherman’s paradise, whether from the shore or a dingy.
The beaches are all general safe and clean. Waikawau is the most surf able beach with the largest DOC camping ground.
Boat launching isn’t very available so most people fish from light weight tinnies .Even four wheel drives can get stuck launching at some places.
At trip to the cape is a must with an out standing view of the Hauraki islands, to Great Barrier around to the Mercury Islands.
This is paradise so please keep it that way leave only foot prints not your rubbish.
Opito, Otama, Kaotuna, Matarangi, Whangapoua
This stretch of the Coromandle has without doubt some of the finest beaches on offer.
All are relatively safe beaches for swimming unless a big surf is running.
Opito has great views of all the outer Mercury Islands, all with in easy reach if you have a tractor or 4 wheel drive to launch a boat. Either end of this beach offers good snorkeling or diving. Lots of people spearfish and snorkel here . Scallops are also close to the shore if you have scuba.
No shops or places to eat, but has rest area. The road is loose metal and may raise a hair or two for those not used to it.
Otama has the white sand of them all . there is no lunching areas here so unless you can carry it to the water , you will have to swim. Very popular for surf casting and snorkeling again, and puts up very good surf waves when conditions are right.
There is a camping ground here , but no shops or rest area on beach.
This where the tar seal ends and the road becomes loose metal.
Kaotuna, Has camping grounds , shops and rest areas. A launching ramp but at low tide it can be difficult to retrieve your boat. Its busy most weekend and parking can become a problem along with the wait for your turn.
Again popular for snorkeling and surf casting, also has a world class surf reef break , but is very popular when breaks .
Between Kaotuna and Matarangi is Rings Beach , a small beach and a bit less popular, although a lot of people surf cast around here. Still very nice. There are no amenities.
Matarangi is popular retirement spot , and there is a large amount of housing here, an airstrip, golf course, restaurant and shops. There is no camping ground here though.
A very nice long and safe beach , with nice surf waves when breaking.
Whangapoa , again a very nice beach with all amenities here. Probably the less safe swimming beach but does have good surf at times. launching is able to be done at the Wharf inside the harbour , but care must be taken when crossing the bar, a number of boats have been swamped here. Fishing inside the harbour and from the wharf is popular, the beach and points good for surf casting too.
Hahei
This beach resort can have a micro climate all of it’s own. May be raining ever where else and fine here I presume its the surrounding hills that cause this.
A beautiful beach that drops away quite fast , also causing the waves here to throw up and pound on the beach, swimmers beware.
The water in and around here are a Marine Reserve so the taking of fish and seafood is prohibited. It isn’t a new reserve but is still young in its re establishment process. Snorkeling here can be a very rewarding experience and there are several services catering for this and other water activities.
Leaving from the wharf at Whitianga are a few charter boats , one in particular features a glass bottom for the pleasure of viewing marine life around this reserve.
Boat launching here requires a tractor or a very good four wheel drive vehicle.
There is various accommodation available and a small camp still operates here.
There are restaurant and other food outlets as well as a dairy for various other needs.
If staying in Whitianga a bus from the ferry landing can be arrange from info center to get here and Hot Water beach.
Here is also the access to the walk to Cathedral cove. This has been used for movie sets and music video’s on occasions. Parking can be a real problem although I think there is a drop off bus now running. The access through the arch is crumbling so if you go through this , please don’t muck around. It was closed for a period but still is a safety risk.
Hot Water Beach
Hot water beach as the name describes has natural hot water seeping up through the beach just along the beach opposite the first rock out crop. This is only accessible towards and after low tide and a bit of digging is required to make yourself a pool. These can be extremely hot , so take care.
It is now extremely popular and if your late you may find it near impossible to get a spot.
This is also the most frequent surf beach in the area, with the surf changing frequently it can be very good some days for surfing and poor others.
This beach is possible the worst too for rips now days although most others also have them. It is patrolled to a certain extent, mainly over summer.
If you cant swim do not go out of the flagged areas, there have been a number of drownings. And even if you can , do not fight a rip, you will just wear yourself out. Raise your arm to let patrol know you are in difficulty. If not available just go with the rip until it eases then return to beach through the surf, flat water is where the rip is.
There are food shops available and a new camping ground not to far from the beach.
Whitianga
Hi I live and work on the Coromandle Peninsula and have done for over 40 years.
I fish, surf, dive , tramp and do other outdoor activities around here.
I also sail around the area and up to the barrier and into the Hauraki gulf.
Whitianga has all amenities that you would require.
Day trips by boat are available from the wharf and the I site can help with any and all enquiries.
A nice long beach, but now suffering from erosion. No longer would I say that the beach is safe as when a sea is running it too can have rips to catch the unaware swimmer out.
There are not as many motor camp now as land values have seen these being sold up to property developers other recent years.
Whitianga has a deep history associated with Game fishing and still boast a very healthy Game fishing club. Diving , and fishing charters are readily available but may require booking ahead.
When it comes to dining out, I recommend the Whitianga Hotel the food is great, with menus for the kiddies too, well priced also.
If you leave a comment I will be happy to try and answer any question on my area.
