The Coromandel Peninsula | Good for your Soul

The Coromandel Peninsula is on the north-eastern coast of the North Island of New Zealand. The stunning white sand beaches and rugged forest are so peaceful and serene it’s no wonder they say The Coromandel Peninsula is good for your soul.

We spent three relaxing nights in the Sunrise Suite at Paradise B&B in the coastal village of Hahei. It’s a small quiet community of 300 residents, but a popular tourist destination.

Our hosts Kevin and Cherie made the visit extra special with their laughter, stories, delicious home cooked breakfasts on the outdoor deck, and overall awesome “Kiwi” hospitality.

This was another unique and wonderful stay we booked through Airbnb – an awesome source for travel accommodations worldwide. Click here to get a code for $25 off your first stay with Airbnb.

Just walking into this calming space attached to Kevin and Cherie’s home we felt instantly relaxed. There was a gentle breeze blowing through the open windows and doors, a sunny deck to enjoy our breakfast, and birds singing in the trees or stopping by for a visit. The sweet juicy fruit of the guava growing on the trees in the yard can be scooped out with a spoon to enjoy. Or if you stay with Kevin and Cherie you might get lucky and sample some of Cherie’s mom’s homemade guava jelly – yum!

People from New Zealand are referred to as Kiwis derived from the kiwi, a flightless bird, which is native to New Zealand. The people you meet really are one of the best parts of traveling and we absolutely loved the Kiwis! They are laid back, kind, funny and love to laugh. They are fully engaged in the moment with an almost childlike joy. Visitors are always welcomed and they go above and beyond to make your stay a wonderful experience. Because they never seemed rushed or in a hurry the Kiwis will carry on long (often funny) conversations, and have a sincere interest in getting to know you – it’s awesome! They also take great pride in their country and preserving it’s natural beauty.

The residents of Hahei were no exception. A storm a few days prior to our arrival had washed a lot of debris up on the beach and their community organized a clean-up complete with a bonfire to restore the beach to it’s normal pristine condition.

Sunrise was a beautiful time to be on the beach. As the sun appeared from behind the offshore islands, the beach started to come to life. People were jogging, having coffee, walking their dogs, and bringing in the kayaks, ready to start a new day in Paradise.

Because the offshore islands provide something of a breakwater, this sheltered beach at Hahei is ideal for swimming, boating and fishing. It was our first chance to get out in the water for a little snorkeling.

A one hour walk along the beach or a short drive and walk down the trail takes you to Cathedral Cove. It’s a beautiful, often photographed, natural arch. According to Wikipedia: The cave and beach was used as the tunnel through which the Pevensie children first re-enter Narnia in the movie version of The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian.

The town of Whitianga is another little village a 15 minute drive and short ferry trip from Hahei. Whitianga is pronounced (Fit-e-anga). It was a little confusing when we first realized that most of the  names of places in New Zealand come from the indigenous Maori language and when they begin with the letters Wh are pronounced like an f sound.

We got lucky and caught a car show on a beautiful afternoon in Whitianga. We made more new friends and had some fun chats with Kiwis who had driven in from all over New Zealand for the event.

Can you believe it? All the way over in New Zealand!

The next morning we drove a few minutes north, with spades in hand, to dig our own spa in the sand. Hot Water Beach is a really cool (I mean hot) experience.

Volcanic activity millions of years ago that created the Coromandel Peninsula also created these unique “hot springs” below the surface at hot water beach. There are two fissures at Hot Water Beach issuing water as hot as 64ºC (147ºF). Within two hours either side of low tide, it is possible to dig into the sand allowing hot water to escape to the surface forming a hot water pool. It’s quite the “hot” spot as people stake their claims and settle in to relax in their own private spa. You have to find just the right space to combine the hot and cool waters for the perfect temperature.

Thank you to our hosts Kevin and Cherie for setting us up with beach towels and spades for shoveling our own “hot tub” on hot water beach.

You have to go within a 2 hour period on either side of high tide or your spa will be underwater.

We enjoyed 3 peaceful days before it was time to move on. This is one place we’d love to back to and spend even more time because the Coromandel Peninsula really is good for your soul!