Cathedral Cove Dive Ltd

Cathedral Cove Dive & Snorkel is a long-established PADI Dive Resort situated on the beautiful Hahei Beach. Located roughly three hours south of Auckland, the centre serves as a gateway to the diverse marine environments of the Coromandel, including the protected waters of the Cathedral Cove marine reserve.

The centre's position in Hahei is a significant advantage for divers, as it allows for shorter boat trips to the most iconic sites. This proximity means you spend less time travelling and more time on the bottom, whether you are exploring shallow reefs or descending along deep pinnacles.

The centre operates as a PADI Dive Resort with over three decades of experience in the region. They are OutdoorsMark Fully Safety Audit Certified, reflecting a commitment to established safety standards for adventure activities.

Instruction is available in both English and French. The team focuses on small groups and personalised service, ensuring that whether you are a novice or an experienced diver, the approach is tailored to your specific needs and skill level.

The centre provides a complete curriculum of PADI courses. Beginners can start with Discover Scuba Diving or the Open Water Diver course, with the option to complete theory via PADI eLearning before arriving on site.

For more experienced divers, they offer Advanced Open Water, Rescue Diver, and PADI Divemaster courses. They also provide Refresher Dive courses and the Emergency First Responder course to ensure your skills remain sharp.

A full range of diving equipment is available for hire on-site, including regulators, wetsuits, fins, and masks. For those interested in night diving, torches are available to rent.

The centre also provides essential safety equipment on their excursions, including emergency oxygen, first aid kits, and communication equipment. For local divers, they offer cylinder air fills and cylinder testing services.

The reefs are characterised by a vibrant array of fixed life, including various colourful sponges, jewel anemones, and thick beds of Eclonia kelp. You will find diverse habitats ranging from sandy bottoms to steep walls covered in fan sponges and colourful encrusting life.

In the shallower waters of Gemstone Bay and Okorotere Island, you can encounter large snapper, blue damselfish, and various species of rays, including stingrays and eagle rays. The rocky outcrops are often home to yellow moray eels, spiny lobsters, and various species of wrasse.

Macro life is abundant throughout the area, with many divers seeking out nudibranchs and various species of crustaceans. The crevices and kelp forests provide ideal hiding places for lobsters and various species of eels.

During the warmer months, the area sees an increase in pelagic activity. You may see kingfish, kahawai, jack mackerels, and mackerel passing through the reefs, especially around the pinnacles.

The coastline between Hahei and Hot Water Beach is well-protected from north and west winds, providing sheltered conditions for many sites. The topography varies from shallow reef flats to deep offshore pinnacles and rocky walls.

Many of the sites, such as Waikaranga Island and Okorotere Island, offer sheltered areas that are accessible to divers of all levels, though some sites like South Sunk Rock are better suited to advanced divers due to depth and topography.