The sea temperature at Coromandel (Cathedral Cove) today is 15.9 °C (61 °F) – icy water, most people reach for a wetsuit. The usual October average is 15.3 °C. The forecast for the next 3 days is 15.9 to 16.2 °C. Over the last 30 days the sea has warmed from 14.7 °C to 15.9 °C. Swimmable from January to December, when the sea averages 18 °C or more. Source: Sea Temp Map (seatempmap.com) – NASA MUR satellite data and the Copernicus Marine sea forecast.
| Month | Min | Avg | Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 19.9°C / 67.7°F | 20.4°C / 68.8°F | 21.1°C / 69.9°F |
| February | 20.5°C / 68.8°F | 21.0°C / 69.8°F | 21.5°C / 70.7°F |
| March | 19.7°C / 67.5°F | 20.5°C / 68.8°F | 21.2°C / 70.2°F |
| April | 18.7°C / 65.7°F | 19.4°C / 66.9°F | 20.1°C / 68.1°F |
| May | 17.3°C / 63.1°F | 17.9°C / 64.2°F | 18.4°C / 65.2°F |
| June | 15.9°C / 60.6°F | 16.2°C / 61.2°F | 16.5°C / 61.7°F |
| July | 14.8°C / 58.6°F | 15.0°C / 59.0°F | 15.3°C / 59.5°F |
| August | 13.9°C / 57.1°F | 14.3°C / 57.7°F | 14.7°C / 58.4°F |
| September | 14.4°C / 57.8°F | 14.6°C / 58.2°F | 14.9°C / 58.8°F |
| October | 15.2°C / 59.3°F | 15.3°C / 59.6°F | 15.5°C / 59.9°F |
| November | 16.6°C / 61.8°F | 17.1°C / 62.7°F | 17.6°C / 63.7°F |
| December | 18.4°C / 65.0°F | 18.9°C / 66.0°F | 19.4°C / 66.8°F |
| Month | Min | Avg | Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 18.8°C / 65.8°F | 19.5°C / 67.1°F | 20.3°C / 68.6°F |
| February | 19.2°C / 66.6°F | 19.8°C / 67.7°F | 20.5°C / 69.0°F |
| March | 18.0°C / 64.4°F | 18.7°C / 65.6°F | 19.6°C / 67.2°F |
| April | 17.4°C / 63.3°F | 17.8°C / 64.1°F | 18.5°C / 65.2°F |
| May | 15.4°C / 59.8°F | 15.8°C / 60.4°F | 16.3°C / 61.4°F |
| June | 14.1°C / 57.4°F | 14.4°C / 57.8°F | 14.9°C / 58.8°F |
| July | 13.0°C / 55.3°F | 13.3°C / 55.9°F | 13.9°C / 57.0°F |
| August | 12.2°C / 54.0°F | 12.6°C / 54.7°F | 13.2°C / 55.8°F |
| September | 13.1°C / 55.5°F | 13.6°C / 56.4°F | 14.3°C / 57.7°F |
| October | 14.1°C / 57.4°F | 14.6°C / 58.4°F | 15.3°C / 59.6°F |
| November | 16.0°C / 60.7°F | 16.6°C / 61.9°F | 17.4°C / 63.4°F |
| December | 17.8°C / 64.1°F | 18.5°C / 65.4°F | 19.4°C / 66.9°F |
5-year averages (2021–2025). Min/Max are typical daily lows and highs, not record extremes. (Copernicus ERA5)
Cathedral Cove holidays
On the Coromandel Peninsula of New Zealand's North Island, Cathedral Cove takes its name from the huge arch that the sea has hollowed through a headland between two coves near the village of Hahei. It lies within Te Whanganui-A-Hei Marine Reserve, established in 1992, where fishing is banned and the reefs and fish life have recovered.
Beaches
Cathedral Cove beach is a strip of pale sand under white cliffs, with the rock arch leading through to Mares Leg Cove and the rock stack of Te Hoho standing offshore. Falling rocks are a real risk around the arch and cliffs: the Department of Conservation advises moving quickly through the arch, not sitting beneath the cliffs and staying away during or just after heavy rain. Hahei Beach, a long, gently shelving sand beach in front of the village, is the easier place to swim with children. Hot Water Beach, about 10 km south, has hot springs under the sand: for about two hours either side of low tide, people dig their own pools, but the surf at Hot Water Beach has strong rips.
Things to do
The coastal track from Hahei to Cathedral Cove has views over Gemstone Bay and Stingray Bay; storms have damaged and closed the track and the paths down to the bays in past seasons, so check current access with the Department of Conservation. Kayak tours and boat trips from Hahei and Whitianga visit the arch, sea caves and the islands of Mercury Bay, and Te Pare Point at the south end of Hahei Beach has the terraces of a Māori pā and wide views.
Weather and best time to visit
From January to March the sea at Cathedral Cove is warmer than 20 °C / 68 °F.
The Coromandel has a mild, temperate climate. Summer, from about December to February, is the warmest and busiest season; check current parking and shuttle arrangements before visiting Cathedral Cove. Autumn and spring are quieter, winter brings cooler, wetter weather, and heavy rain can close roads on the peninsula.
Hotels and where to stay
Hahei is a small holiday village of lodges, motels, holiday homes and a holiday park; Whitianga, across Mercury Bay, has more restaurants and a wider choice of places to stay.
Signature hotels: Tatahi Lodge Beach Resort
Airport and getting there
Auckland Airport (AKL) is the nearest international gateway; the drive to Hahei takes about two and a half to three hours, over the Kōpū bridge and through winding roads on the peninsula. Whitianga, about 35 km from Hahei by road, has a small airfield, and a passenger ferry crosses the narrow harbour entrance from Whitianga to Ferry Landing. From Hahei, walk or take a shuttle, when one is running, to the track entrance, then continue on foot to Cathedral Cove; boat and kayak tours are another way to reach the cove.