Cathedral Cove Marine Reserve
Also known as: Te Whanganui-A-Hei
Best time to dive
October to May
What you might see
- Eagle rayLikely
Sightings are seasonal probabilities, not promises - even in peak season nature does its own thing.
Certification & difficulty
Open Water - advanced conditions (currents/depth); dive within your training.
Snorkelling
Snorkel-friendly - Yes - Gemstone Bay Snorkel Trail with marker buoys and interpretive info panels; wetsuit plus life jacket/PFD recommended, swim in pairs
Safety notes
Strong currents/swell at exposed points, high visitor and boat density in summer, cold water outside summer, eroding/changing seafloor and cliffs
Permits & fees
Te Whanganui-A-Hei (Cathedral Cove) Marine Reserve, established 1992 - full no-take: no fishing or collecting of any marine life including shellfish and seaweed; enforced under the Marine Reserves Act 1971
Permits and operators change - confirm before booking.
Location
Nearest hub: Hahei
This profile is desk research, compiled from public sources - not a first-hand dive report. Coordinates are approximate.