Gemstone Bay Snorkel Trail: Te Whanganui-o-Hei Marine Reserve, Hahei

Overview

Waimata/Gemstone Bay is a small boulder beach in Te Whanganui-o-Hei/Cathedral Cove Marine Reserve, near Hahei on the Coromandel Peninsula. It's home to a snorkel trail: marker buoys with information panels about the sea life below, plus handles you can hold while you rest.

The reserve was established in 1992. It's the only marine reserve in the Waikato region and on the Coromandel Peninsula.

Why it suits beginners

• Shallow water, from about 0 to 10 m deep.
• Buoys to rest on, so less confident snorkellers can take a break.
• Varied habitats in a small area: boulders, soft sand and seaweed beds.

It's still open sea, though. Check the forecast, and snorkel with a buddy.

What you might see

The Friends of Te Whanganui-o-Hei Marine Reserve Trust lists:

• Tāmure (snapper), with pink scales and bright blue spots
• Āhuruhuru (goatfish), rustling through the sand with their two feelers
• Paketi (spotties), hiding among the shallow weed and rocks
• Kōura (crayfish), kina (urchins) and anemones

DOC notes that kina barrens (reefs stripped of kelp) are less common inside the reserve, because predators such as snapper and crayfish have recovered.

Getting there

• On foot: Gemstone Bay is along the Mautohe Cathedral Cove track from Hahei. See our Cathedral Cove walk guide for current access, parking and the shuttle.
• By kayak: On a calm day, it's an easy paddle from Hahei Beach, according to the Friends of Te Whanganui-o-Hei.
• By car: DOC says Hahei is about 1.5 hours' drive from Thames and about 2.5 hours from Auckland.

What to bring

The Friends suggest a mask, snorkel and wetsuit, plus "extra floaty things" if you'd like more buoyancy. Bring water and sun protection too.

Reserve rules

Everything in the reserve is protected. Look, don't touch.

• No fishing of any kind, from a boat or from shore.
• No taking or disturbing marine life, shells or rocks.
• No feeding fish.

Access to Poikeke Island and Motueka Island is prohibited without permission from Ngāti Hei, who are kaitiaki of the area. No dogs are allowed anywhere in the reserve.

Nearby

Plan a beach day around Mautohe Cathedral Cove, and see our Coromandel camping guide for places to stay.