Major city · New Zealand
Hahei
Give Hahei two nights: one for Cathedral Cove by boat or kayak, one for Hot Water Beach at low tide. One night only works if you hit both in a single afternoon.
Hahei is a beach village of about 300 residents on Mercury Bay, on the east side of the Coromandel Peninsula, and it swells roughly ninefold in peak holiday periods. It is the gateway to Te Whanganui-A-Hei Marine Reserve and Cathedral Cove, and Hot Water Beach is 6 km south. The Cathedral Cove walking track has been closed since 2023 after a landslip, so the cove is reached by boat or kayak; check the current status before you plan around the walk.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- NZD
- Best months
- Dec–Mar for beach weather; Feb–Mar for warm water with fewer crowds
- avoid Late Dec–early Jan and Waitangi weekend (parking and park-and-ride pressure); Jun–Aug for swimming
- Airports
- AKL · HLZ
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 7
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
- New Zealand ↗Visa-waiver visitors need an NZeTA (with the tourism levy) before travel, including many transit passengers; others need a visa. Apply only through Immigration New Zealand or its official app, and check the rules for your passport.
- New Zealand ↗Declare all food, plant and animal products, and used outdoor gear such as hiking boots and tents, on the New Zealand Traveller Declaration; undeclared risk items bring instant fines.
- New Zealand ↗Drive on the left; give way as signed at one-lane bridges; an English-language licence or one with an approved translation or International Driving Permit is required.
- New Zealand ↗Freedom camping is restricted: sleep in a vehicle only where signed as allowed, and in many places only in certified self-contained vehicles.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Hahei111 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Hahei, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the New Zealand dollar (NZD, NZ$).New Zealand-wide
- SIM or eSIMOne NZ, Spark and 2degrees sell tourist SIMs at Auckland and Christchurch arrivals and in supermarkets; passport not required.New Zealand-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe almost everywhere; follow boil-water notices in small rural schemes.New Zealand-wide
- TippingCafé or restaurant: Nothing expected; 10% for very good service at dinner is a bonus.New Zealand-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets I. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.New Zealand-wide
- SafetyVery safe for a beach town; the real risks are the sea (strong surf and no lifeguards outside summer patrols)…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets in every town and at most lookouts; DOC long-drops on tracks.New Zealand-wide
- Emergency numbers111 police, fire, ambulance · 105 Non-urgent police · *555 Traffic incidents (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysShops closed Good Friday, Easter Sunday, ANZAC Day morning and Christmas Day by law; small-town shops close by 17:00 and on Sunday afternoons…Shops closed Good Friday, Easter Sunday, ANZAC Day morning and Christmas Day by law; small-town shops close by 5:00 PM and on Sunday afternoons…New Zealand-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckAKL Auckland Airport (About 3 h drive via the Kopu bridge and Whenuakite; the Go Kiwi shuttle runs once daily from Auckland and the airport (check…
- Getting aroundYou need a car.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- BeerCraft beer at The Pour HouseNZ$10–14 (≈ US$6–9)
- Budget bedPowered campsite, a night, per roomNZ$25 (≈ US$15)
- Mid-range bedMotel or cottage double room, a night, per roomNZ$220 (≈ US$130)
- High-end bedMotel or cottage double room, a night, per roomNZ$380 (≈ US$250)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget NZ$90 (≈ US$55) · Mid NZ$170 (≈ US$100) · High NZ$320 (≈ US$190)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- AKL Auckland Airport (About 3 h drive via the Kopu bridge and Whenuakite; the Go Kiwi shuttle runs once daily from Auckland and the airport (check timetable)) · HLZ Hamilton Airport (About 2 h 30 min drive; smaller domestic field)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Care*
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Feb
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Mar
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Apr
not flagged
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
May
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jun
Avoid
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Jul
Avoid
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Aug
Avoid
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Sep
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Oct
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Nov
not flagged
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Dec
Care*
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Best: Feb–Mar. Mixed: Dec–Jan. Avoid: Jun–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)), coolest Jul (8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C) low), wettest Jul (15 rain days), driest Jan (8). Averages, not a forecast.
* only part of the month (early, mid or late).
Weather and climate
Hahei: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
8 rd
Feb
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
8 rd
Mar
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
9 rd
Apr
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
11 rd
May
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
12 rd
Jun
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
14 rd
Jul
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
15 rd
Aug
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
14 rd
Sep
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
12 rd
Oct
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
12 rd
Nov
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
10 rd
Dec
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
9 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
You need a car. There is no local bus; the Go Kiwi shuttle from Auckland runs once a day (check). The village is walkable, but Cathedral Cove access points, Hot Water Beach and the main road at Whenuakite are 6–15 km apart. Parking at the Grange Rd track entrance fills in peak summer, when a park-and-ride shuttle runs from the town entrance (27 Dec through January and Waitangi weekend; fares $5 adult, $3 child up to 15, $10 family up to 2 adults and 2 children).
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 20 min
Drive 6 km (3.7 mi) south from Hahei, then walk to the spring zoneDrive 3.7 mi (6 km) south from Hahei, then walk to the spring zone
Time it within two hours either side of low tide; spades hire for about $5 at the cafés.
Door to door: 40 min–1 h
Drive 40 min, or drive to Ferry Landing and take the passenger ferry
Best for a supermarket run, more restaurants and a rainy-day fallback.
Door to door: About 45 min
Drive south over the peninsula road
Climb Paku Hill for the harbour view; good half-day.
Door to door: About 1 h
Drive north past Whitianga
Long beach, few people, one café; combine with Otama.
Coromandel town
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h 30 min
Drive north on the peninsula road
Narrow, winding road; a long day from Hahei.
Pauanui and Whangamatā
cautionDoor to door: 1 h 15 min–1 h 45 min
Drive south via Tairua
Better as a stop on the way in or out than a return trip.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Hahei Beach Rd and Grange Rd (village centre)
Walk to the beach, general store, cafés and the boat launches; the only real base.
Hahei Holiday Resort area (Harsant Ave)
Campsites, cabins, backpackers and villas at the north end, a few minutes' walk from the sand.
Hot Water Beach
6 km (3.7 mi) south; quieter, but you drive to everything in Hahei.3.7 mi (6 km) south; quieter, but you drive to everything in Hahei.
Whitianga
40 min drive or a passenger ferry from Ferry Landing; more beds, restaurants and services if Hahei is full.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- NZ$90–150 (≈ US$55–90) excl. bed
- Mid
- NZ$150–260 (≈ US$90–160) excl. bed
- High
- NZ$260 (≈ US$160)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel or cottage double room1 × 2 nights × NZ$220 | NZ$440 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × NZ$170 | NZ$680 |
| Park-and-ride, Grange Rd, one day (peak summer)2 × NZ$5 | NZ$10 |
| Spade hire at Hot Water Beach2 × NZ$5 | NZ$10 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × NZ$30 | NZ$60 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | NZ$120 |
| Trip total≈ NZ$330 per person per day, bed included | NZ$1,320≈ US$800 |
2026 estimate in NZ dollars; fuel and ferry excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Flat white or long black | NZ$5–7 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Café lunch or takeaway fish and chips | NZ$15–28 (≈ US$9–17) |
| Restaurant mainThe Church Restaurant mains were $21–29 | NZ$21–35 (≈ US$13–25) |
| Craft beer at The Pour House | NZ$10–14 (≈ US$6–9) |
| Boat tour to Cathedral Cove | NZ$60–120 (≈ US$40–75) |
| Kayak tour, half day | NZ$120–180 (≈ US$75–110) |
| Spade hire at Hot Water Beach | About NZ$5 (≈ US$3) |
| Petrol, per litre | NZ$2.60–3.00 (≈ US$2) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The Cathedral Cove walking track has been closed since October 2023 after a landslip and may not reopen; check the DOC page before relying on the walk. Boat and kayak tours are the alternative.
- Hot Water Beach springs reach about 64°C (147°F) where they surface — too hot to bathe in. Dig your pool to the side and let the water run in.Hot Water Beach springs reach about 147°F (64°C) where they surface — too hot to bathe in. Dig your pool to the side and let the water run in.
- The springs only work within about two hours either side of low tide. Check the tide table before you drive over.
- Cell coverage and fuel are limited: the general store has a petrol station, but fill up in Whitianga or Tairua.
- One-lane bridges and unsealed sections on the peninsula roads; drive to the conditions.
- Book accommodation and boat tours weeks ahead for late December to early February.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 111
- Non-urgent police
- 105
- Traffic incidents
- *555
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
HaheiHahei
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Ki tēnei wāhi, koaTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance111
- Non-urgent police105
- Traffic incidents*555
Embassy
No embassies in Hahei or Whitianga; the nearest consulates are in Auckland. US: consulate-general in Auckland (check). UK, Canada and Australia: Auckland (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Park-and-ride, Grange Rd (peak summer): $5 (≈ US$3) adult, $3 (≈ US$2) child up to 15, $10 (≈ US$6) family up to 2 adults and 2 children
- Whitianga passenger ferry from Ferry Landing: about 5 min crossing; fare check
- Go Kiwi shuttle, Auckland to Hahei: once daily; fare and timetable check
Say or show
- Kia ora — Kia ora — hello / thank you (kee-ah or-ah)
- Ngā mihi nui — Thank you very much (ngah mee-hee noo-ee)
- Kei hea te huarahi ki te moana? — Where is the beach access? (kay heh-ah teh hoo-ah-rah-hee kee teh moh-ah-nah)
- Kua timu te tai? — Is it low tide now? (koo-ah tee-moo teh tie)
- Ka taea te utu mā te kāri? — Can I pay by card? (kah tah-eh-ah teh oo-too mah teh kah-ree)
- Kāo, kei te titiro noa — No thanks, I'm just looking (kah-oh, kay teh tee-tee-roh noh-ah)
Cell coverage is patchy on the peninsula roads; download an offline map before you leave Whitianga or Tairua.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Hahei. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Dec–Mar for beach weather; Feb–Mar for warm water with fewer crowds · avoid Late Dec–early Jan and Waitangi weekend (parking and park-and-ride pressure); Jun–Aug for swimming · month by month →
- 2 airports and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 6 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Cathedral Cove access status page with the DOC closure note and boat/kayak alternatives.
- Hot Water Beach tide window tool: next low tide, drive time from Hahei, spade hire.
- Park-and-ride dates and fares for the Grange Rd car park, plus a peak-day arrival plan.
- Rain-day rung: Whitianga, Coromandel town and the Driving Creek Railway.
Sources
Ask about Hahei
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