Cathedral Cove stakes top dive site claim

Thirty something years ago, local legends Russ Cochrane & Wendy Helms packed up their family and relocated to the sleepy village and coastal playground of Hahei Beach. They were divers looking for a lifestyle, not the big money of the city, because for them diving wasn’t a hobby, but a way of life.

It’s no secret we’re all striving for the ultimate goal: Doing what we love so much that we feel we never work a day in our lives. And if we can do that with the people we love, in a paradise, then we have the winning combination.‍

In 1992 they began operating Cathedral Cove Dive & Snorkel from their home with one mighty vessel, the Mekong Rose and her trusty companion Rusty, the trusty Massey Fergusson.

Marine reserve backdrop

In that same year was established Te Whanganui-a-Hei Marine Reserve, New Zealand’s sixth marine protected area covering nine square kilometres between Hahei and Cook Bluff. The location was chosen for the rich and varied marine habitats along the coastline and outlying islands with reefs of hard rock, soft sediments, intricate caves, and underwater arches offering homes to complex communities of plants, crustaceans, molluscs, and fish.

The advent of the Marine Reserve sent a clear sign to Russ and Wendy that their backyard represented an open invitation to explore with their customers.

Now, Cathedral Dive & Snorkel is the longest operating dive business in the area with an intimate knowledge of the local underwater environment to match.

Over 30 years the business has grown, upgraded, and relocated to the heart of Hahei, but the good old fashion values and traditions remain. A good day for them consists of two boats each completing three trips, ideally one for the salty snorkellers, and another with dive adventurers, on an all-inclusive, uniquely kiwi, tractor launch.

“We live and work in Nature’s own Art Gallery surrounded by iconic, breath-taking, beauty,” says Wendy Helms. “Who could not be 100% dedicated to protecting this for future generations and passionate about sharing it.

“All the islands you can see while standing on Hahei Beach’s golden sands are amongst our dive sites. Many are just 10-minutes away by boat,” she says.

“A single tank dive means you can do it all, plus brunch with the family, and make it to Hot Water beach in time for low tide!

“The constant erosion by the sea results in an ever-changing environment. Sea caves give way to arches. Pinnacles, eventually, stand in the shallows as the sea continues its work.”

Here, just over two hours from Auckland is some of New Zealand's finest scenery, above and under the water, untouched islands, pinnacles, and a volcanic coastline adjacent to the world-famous Cathedral Cove.

The dive sites on offer cater to any level of diving, and Cathedral Dive & Snorkel prides itself on its family values, aroha and passion, being big enough to meet industry standards to offer a variety of ocean adventures but small enough to cater to individual wants and needs.  They also supply air fills, dive equipment for rent or sale, and can test your tanks.

“I challenge you to find anyone in a group or family not impressed, entertained, or accommodated by what we have on offer,” Wendy says.  “Better still, we know Scuba diving is not cheap, so our fantastic rates make diving or snorkelling financially attainable for anyone.”

Top Dive Sites

Cave BayOne of the most popular is Cave Bay on Mahurangi Island, teeming with magical caves, cracks, and crevices just a skip and a jump from the beach. Cave Bay’s dramatic light and shadow around the numerous cave entries appeals strongly to photographers. Its right for keen kai gatherers too, looking for crayfish or kina for dinner, and with an abundance of curious and interactive marine life.  This is where an aggregation of eagle rays comes in summer to breed and give birth in shallower, sheltered waters.

South Sunk
South Sunk is a top dive in the Mercury Bay area and, after 30 years of diving here, still one of Cathedral Cove Dive’s favourites. The place has so many different fish: huge marble fish, hiwihiwi, silver drummers, moki and many curious leather jackets.  In the warmer months pelagic fish turn up, including kahawai, kingfish, and jack mackerel. South Sunk is superb for experienced divers, complete with drop offs, swim throughs, deep crevices, multi coloured weeds, and an array of sponges and nudibranchs.

Hapuka Rock
South from Hahei through Wigmore passage is another firm favourite - Hapuka Rock, a pinnacle from nowhere to 6m from a depth of 25m on the ocean side. A startling feature is the sheer 20m drop off wall to the sand covered with jewel anemones, mauve finger sponges and colourful encrusting sponges.  Great for free falling, and a photographers dream as well as for hunter gatherers at certain times of the year. This is where something super special grows, typically below recreation depths. If you’re certified to dive deeper than 18 metres and curious … you’ll have to make the trip for a bit of an explore!

If you can swim, you can dive!

If you’re wondering where to take the plunge for the first time…how about a secluded lagoon or hidden sea cave below an ancient vent in the mighty rock cylinder of Wai Ora Ana?  Imagine emerging from your first ever bubble blowing adventure into the heart of a blowhole, gazing up 25 metres to open sky and the rim of the blowhole ringed with blooming Pohutukawa.

Or the perfect experience in Te Whanganui-a-Hei: Cathedral Cove Marine Reserve where you can get up close and personal with massive crayfish, huge snapper, and other friendly fish.

Getting there.

Head to Hahei where Cathedral Cove Dive & Snorkel will make you welcome.For the less experienced and those in training they can point you to numerous picturesque bays. For building your dive confidence and skills refreshers they have a bunch of experienced and passionate instructors who have dived all around the world and keep coming back to Hahei for its incredible community and some of the best diving New Zealand has to offer.

The Coromandel’s East Coast thoroughly deserves to be on your bucket list, with:
·     Aotearoa’s second largest sea cave,
·     a thriving Marine Reserve, abundant marine life and
·     an iconic volcanic coastline.

Diving with Cathedral Dive & Snorkel guarantees personalised service, flexible scheduling. a wealth of expertise and local knowledge, a bucket load of passion, a dad joke or two, and wonderful moments to store in your memory bank forever!