The last (and only) time I visited Cathedral Cove years ago, I barely even knew it existed. I'm so glad that my friends knew about it!
Whilt it was an easy outing from our base in the Coromandel then, this time around we made it a day trip from Auckland. It's just over 2 hours one way, which, I think, is about the acceptable maximum for a day trip. I generally think you should be able to easily spend as much time at your destination as you do travelling (round trip), otherwise it's a bit of a waste. Then again, I live in a tiny country so my standards when it comes to distance are skewed.
Everything was different from the moment we got there. Parking was impossible. Odds it's not even worth driving up to the car park; just turn into the paddock on the right hand side off the road that's full of cars, and take the bus up. The Cathedral Cove 'park and ride' shuttle bus costs just $3, and allows you to ride both there and back again.
The beach was absolutely packed - it brought to mind some European beaches - and there were so many commercial tours out on the water, from glass bottom boats to kayaks. But I think this made me appreciate Cathedral Cove even more, somehow. Losing myself in the turquoise waters, surrounded by limestone cliffs, I felt at peace for the first time in so long. The Coromandel region sells itself as "good for your soul" - and it was.
The one thing that was just as I remembered it? The hike. The walk from the carpark down to Cathedral Cove is signposted as 45 minutes, but you can nail it in half the time - we always do. It's crazy beautiful, though, winding through forest and over clifftops with amazing views out to sea and the islands, so maybe allow some time to stop for photos. The track has some climbs and dips but nothing too taxing; you can definitely navigate in jandals, though I wouldn't recommend bare feet.
I suppose it was inevitable that such a fabulous spot would only become busier, despite its secluded location (which, I think, is a real blessing). I can't really resent others for wanting to enjoy it, too.
