Te Whanganui-A-Hei (Cathedral Cove), New Zealand

Te Whanganui-A-Hei (Cathedral Cove) Marine Reserve is on the Coromandel Peninsula in New Zealand covering an area of 840 hectares. Cathedral Cove is named after the cave located there, linking Mare's Leg Cove to Cathedral Cove. Gemstone Bay and Stingray Bay are also located within the reserve. A walking track exists from the northern end of Hanei Beach, and it is also possible to walk from the local authority car park at the top of the headland between Hahei and Gemstone Bay. The area is very popular with tourists where the beach is very clean many activity that tourists can do. there will receives around 150,000 visitors per year. Te Whanganui-A-Hei thus became New Zealand's sixth official marine reserve.

This site was chosen for a marine reserve because of the rich and varied habitats associated with the coastline and outlying islands. Reefs of hard rock, soft sediments, intricate caves and underwater arches provide homes for complex communities of plants, crustacean, molluscs and fish. Sheltered from the worst of the southerly winds, Te Whanganui-A-Hei gives visitors an unparalleled opportunity to appreciate an unspoilt marine environment. 

There are a lot of interesting activities tourist can do in Te Whanganui-A-Hei (Cathedral Cove) included snorkeling, diving, boating, walking tracks and see unique marine community in hidden caves. The snorkelling and swimming opportunities in Te Whanganui-A-Hei Marine Reserve are plentiful, especially in the shallow waters around Stingray Bay (Te Karaka) and the western side of Mahurangi Island. Gemstone Bay (Waimata) has a snorkel trail marked by buoys that illustrate the marine habitats and associated species that live in the waters below them.

A huge variety of habitats lie hidden beneath the waves – boulder banks, steep rocky cliffs, sandy shores, convoluted reefs and hidden caves, to name just a few. Each is home to a unique marine community. Crayfish and black angel fish hide in the cracks and crevices of reefs such as those around Mahurangi Island. In the large boulder fields near Motueka Island curious schools of sweep may follow divers.

Boating is permitted in the reserve but tourist must take care if anchoring. Waste, ballast and sewage must not be discharged within the reserve. Besides that, there are several scenic walks on land adjacent to the reserve, including the Cathedral Cove track which gives access to Gemstone Bay, Stingray Bay, Mare’s Leg and Cathedral Cove. Access to Cathedral Cove carpark is available at the western end of Hahei Beach and Te Pare Point Historic reserve is at the eastern end of Hahei Beach.