Coromandel

Arguably one of the most beautiful places in the country. Rolling hills, endless blue sky and.....soft white sands!

Highlights include the infamous cathedral cove, hot water beach and donut island.

We walked the beautiful 40 minute track to cathedral cove but you can also kayak there or take a water taxi. Get some shots of the arch but be sure to explore the surrounding caves too.

Hot water beach is for the determined traveler- it’s a geothermal beach and if you dig in the right spot (and that’s the issue!!) then you can make your own hot water pool/bath. So bring your shovel but also your patience and some elbow grease. It’s likely to take you several attempts and quite a while to find your dream spot. I think the key is to use this opportunity to make friends....either start a combined effort on a team dig or straight up jump into someone else’s bath, having solicited an invitation!! It’s not about how deep you dig, you’ll get to water relatively quickly....but if it’s cold you just have to pack up your tools and move on. The frustration of digging a freezing cold hole RIGHT next to a family who’s hole is “too hot to be honest” is unreal!! Make sure you go at low tide +/- 2 hours if you want a hot water bath. But if you’re spade-less and not inclined to exert yourself it’s still a beautiful spot to sunbathe (and enjoy watching the efforts of other tourists).

I cannot recommend kayaking to Whenuakura Island enough. The island is also known as donut island, because there is a tiny archway leading into the centre of the Island. If you kayak through there, you emerge in a central circular pool. It’s stunningly beautiful and well worth the effort to get out there!