Cathedral Cove

The section of coastline on the Coromandel Peninsula known as Cathedral Cove is considered to be one of the most scenic spots on the North Island. It shows up in all the travel brochures. I think that it’s fame is certainly justified. The area is broken down into three adjacent coves, Gemstone Bay, Stingray Bay and Mares Leg Cove and Cathedral Cove. Gemstone Bay is very tiny and gets it’s name from bits of Agate and Jasper that are sometimes found here. It has a rocky shoreline. Stingray Bay is a bit bigger and has a nice sandy beach. Mare’s Leg Cove and Cathedral Cove are connected by a very large cave through the headland. While it’s not quite Cathedral size, it is pretty darn big. It takes about 45 minutes to hike all the way out to Cathedral Cove, more if you stop at the other little bays. Lots of up and down to get into and out of each. I did the circuit twice today, first with my normal camera, and then again with the DJI Inspire. I only got to do flights in two spots with the Inspire. First I tried Gemstone Bay but it’s just too rocky with no good place to take off and land. Then I was able to get a flight in at Stingray Bay. But by the time I got all the way back out to Cathedral Cove, I had lost the good light that I thought I’d have. So tomorrow morning, if the nice weather holds, I will hike all the way out there again with the Inspire and give it another try. I did get to do one more flight on the way back from Cathedral cove at the top of the headland that separates, Mare’s Leg Cove from Stingray Bay. It was very windy up there, blowing offshore. I had no problem flying out over the cliff of the headland, but it was a real struggle flying back into the wind. I think it took at least twice as long to get back as it did to get out, and I was at full throttle all the way coming back. I did two passes like that, and coming back on the last pass, the Inspire warned me of “critically low battery” which means that it is going to land itself if you don’t do it pretty soon. Fortunately, I was back pretty close when that happened so I just brought it down right away.


Some sheep enjoying a nice sunny morning.


The coastline looking toward the small town of Hahei.


A telephoto shot looking toward Stingray Bay with Mare’s Leg Cove and Cathedral Cove in the distance.


On the trail just before t he descent to Gemstone Bay.


This is on the way down to Gemstone Bay. This is the large tree from the previous photo.


In the middle of the tree about 30 feet off the ground is a lush natural garden.


This is Gemstone Bay. It turned out to be too rocky to launch the drone.


This is Stingray Bay looking toward the headland that separates it from Mare’s Leg Cove.


Stingray Bay has a sandy beach so I was able to do a flight here.


The view from the highest point of the trail.


This is the view from the cave toward Cathedral Cove.


This is looking back through the cave toward Mare’s Leg cove from the Cathedral Cove side.


This is Cathedral Cove looking back toward the cave that provides access.


This is Mare’s Leg Cove.


A late afternoon view from the trailhead toward Cathedral Cove.