8 Best Things to Do in Hahei & the Coromandel This Summer
Planning a trip to Hahei and wondering what to do while you’re there?
From golden beaches and hidden sea caves to boat trips, hot pools, beautiful walks and long lunches, Hahei and the Coromandel Peninsula are made for a summer getaway.
Whether you’re planning a solo trip, a girls weekend or a longer Coromandel holiday, there’s plenty to fill your days.
Here are 10 of the best things to do in Hahei and the surrounding Coromandel.
1. Explore Cathedral Cove by Boat ⛵️
One of the best ways to experience Hahei is from the water.
A boat trip around Cathedral Cove gives you a completely different perspective of the coastline and lets you see parts of the Coromandel that you simply can’t experience from land.
You can see all the highlights in one trip, including Cathedral Cove, hidden sea caves, offshore islands and the marine reserve.
It’s particularly beautiful on a sunny summer day, when the turquoise water, rocky coastline and golden beaches really show off what the Coromandel is all about.
2. Spend the Day at Hahei Beach 🏖️
Hahei Beach is a coastal playground and a favourite holiday spot among locals.
With its sheltered golden sand beach, clear water and beautiful surrounding coastline, it’s easy to see why people keep coming back.
Spend the morning swimming, bring a picnic, read your book on the sand or simply settle in for a slow afternoon.
If your idea of a holiday involves doing absolutely nothing for a few hours, Hahei Beach has you covered.
3. Visit Hot Water Beach 🌊
Another Coromandel classic is Hot Water Beach.
At low tide, geothermal water rises through the sand, allowing visitors to dig their own little hot pool on the beach.
The trick is getting your timing right — the hot water is accessible around low tide, so check the tide times before you head over.
Bring a shovel if you have one, or hire one locally, and prepare to find your own patch of warm sand.
It’s one of those quintessential Coromandel experiences that is well worth adding to your itinerary.
4. Discover the Marine Reserve 🐠
The coastline around Hahei forms part of the Te Whanganui-A-Hei Marine Reserve, an area known for its rich marine life and underwater environment.
Getting out on the water gives you the chance to appreciate the coastline and marine reserve from a completely different perspective.
If you love swimming, kayaking, snorkelling or simply being around the ocean, this is definitely one to add to your Coromandel bucket list.
5. Look for the Hidden Sea Caves
One of the coolest things about exploring the Coromandel by boat is seeing the coastline up close.
Along the way you’ll find hidden sea caves, rocky cliffs, offshore islands and little corners of the coastline that you might otherwise miss.
Some of the best parts of a boat trip aren’t necessarily the big attractions — it’s those moments when you round a corner and discover somewhere completely unexpected.
Bring your camera. You’ll want it.
6. Take a Scenic Walk
Hahei and the surrounding Coromandel have plenty of opportunities to get outside and explore.
Add a coastal walk to your itinerary for a slower way to experience the scenery.
You’ll get beautiful views, fresh sea air and a chance to see a different side of the area away from the main beaches.
Just remember to check current track conditions before setting off, particularly if weather has been unsettled.
7. Slow Down for a Long Lunch
Not every holiday activity needs to involve an itinerary.
Take some time to explore the local cafés and restaurants, grab a coffee, find somewhere for lunch and enjoy the fact that you’re on holiday.
The Coromandel is the kind of place where a “quick lunch” can very easily turn into a few hours chatting in the sunshine.
And honestly, we’re not complaining.
8. Spend a Weekend on the Coromandel With New Friends 💙
If you’re travelling solo, why not make the trip itself part of the experience?
One of the best ways to see Hahei and the Coromandel is to combine the classic attractions with the chance to meet other people.
That’s exactly what our Dear Community Hahei weekend getaway is designed around.
You’ll spend the weekend exploring one of New Zealand’s favourite summer destinations, getting out on a yacht around Cathedral Cove, enjoying time at the beach and connecting with other women along the way.
You don’t need to organise a group of friends first.
You don’t need to wait for everyone’s calendars to magically line up.
You can simply come along, meet a bunch of new girls and enjoy a summer weekend away.
So, What Is the Best Way to See Hahei?
If you only have a short time in the Coromandel, you’ll want to make the most of it.
While you can absolutely explore Hahei by car and visit the beaches and attractions yourself, getting out on the water is one of the best ways to see the area.
You get to experience the coastline from a completely different perspective, see Cathedral Cove, discover hidden sea caves, visit offshore islands and experience the marine reserve — all while enjoying the very best of the Coromandel summer.
And if you can combine that with a few days of beaches, good food, new friends and a little R&R?
Even better.
Ready for Your Coromandel Girls Weekend?
If you’ve been searching for things to do in Hahei, things to do in the Coromandel, Hahei activities, Coromandel summer activities or girls weekend ideas in New Zealand, add a yacht trip to your list.
The Dear Community Hahei getaway brings together the best parts of a Coromandel summer — the beach, the boat, the scenery and the people.
Come solo, bring a friend or meet the girls along the way.
Your summer Coromandel weekend awaits. ⛵️🌊💙
[Explore the Hahei Weekend Getaway →]