[JoJo76]

Looking forward to visiting here:)

http://www.thecoromandel.com/index.html

Anyone been?

This needs further investigation too :nice1

http://www.thelostspring.co.nz/

[JoJo76]

should have added this for the spa pool

http://www.thecoromandel.com/hotwaterbeach.html

[JayBee]

:nice1

[JayBee]

Yes!! it's just like the pictures....there is a lovely walk down to Cathedral Cove.
On Hot Water Beach you will see grown-ups all concentrated around the same area on this big beach, digging holes in the sand with their spades. Its quite an amusing sight! Beware the water really is scalding hot in places !!

[JoJo76]

Had a look at Cathedral Cove, can't wait to get there :nice1

[CityBlue]

We have just spent a long weekend in the coromandel. We stayed in coromandel town but went over to whitianga and cathedral cove and hot water beach.

Hot water beach was reallly busy and we couldnt be bothered digging a hole to sit right next to loads of other people.

Cathedral cove - now that place is fantastic. Quite a walk to get there but well worth it. Definetly going back to spend a full day there messing about and snorkelling etc.

we got some beautiful photos too

[StevieD]

I just don't fancy sitting in a watery sandy pit, I can't stand sand at the best of times, to sit there in albeit warm water sounds positively scary to me!! I mean, sand gets everywhere doesn't it, and it chafes :laugh

[Ally Bally Bee]

But then you get to run into the surf for a cooling dip!

There are a few hot pools around NZ. There are a couple of spots on Lake Taupo (though they can be too hot) where I like to test the water.

Also somewhere on Great Barrier Island. Can't remember the name of the place as I went there a couple of years ago but it's on a DOC walk. We walked from Claris airport to the walkway and then to the hotsprings. About 12km total once we got back to the airfield!

There are heaps of hot pool resorts (Miranda Hot Springs - mineral pools, Te Aroha, soda water spa, Mount Maunganui salt water pools, Hanmer Springs, Polynesian Spa at Rotorua etc).

I like my own hot pool the best - always hot (but not too hot), always good company and never any tourists! We've got a plug in spa, cost us $4000 in a fieldays special. Well worth it though.

[SarahEDH]

the trick is to find out where the hot water runs beneath the sand, otherwise you end up digging a pit that fills with cold water . . .

[swissmissdesigner]

I burned my feets!

[StevieD]

Warning, Mount Maunganui hot saltwater pools are indeed salt water, they put it in by the bag load as well as chlorine. Makes short work of the dyes on towels, rash vests etc. as we have found out to our cost :laugh

[Timbo]

Anybody who is going to Hotwater bch would be well advised to take their own (camping) spade, otherwise you will either have to use your hands or pay the little shop on the front to hire one.
Now, if you really want to find an awsome little beach that is almost always empty, take a short walk around the headland situated at the far left (if you are on beach looking to sea) of Whangapoa, which is down the turning between Matarangi and Coromandel. It has been said to be one of the top ten beaches in the world.
There are several others worth checking out up this way, including Otama and Opito.

[JoJo76]

I just don't fancy sitting in a watery sandy pit, I can't stand sand at the best of times, to sit there in albeit warm water sounds positively scary to me!! I mean, sand gets everywhere doesn't it, and it chafes :laugh

Sounds like you're worried you'll make your own Cathedral Cove LOL

Thanks for the replies everyone.

[beanbeanz]

Oh this brought back memories.

I went to Cathedral Cove just before the sun went down... occupied a 'hole' that had already been dug by previous visitors and sat around with friends and some beers.

When it gets too warm...run into the freeeeeeeezing surf, then back in the toasty warm pool. Some bits really can get scalding hot!

Was a great night.