Guidebook for Cooks Beach
Food Scene
Places to eat nearby
Across the street from Flaxmill Bay, amazing rock formations, the egg has a great garden setting, local artwork and sculptures, music some nights and a little shop with fresh fish, veggies and treats. Not open in winter
52 locals recommend
Eggsentric Cafe And Restaurant
1049 Purangi RdAcross the street from Flaxmill Bay, amazing rock formations, the egg has a great garden setting, local artwork and sculptures, music some nights and a little shop with fresh fish, veggies and treats. Not open in winter
Set in a pretty garden, you might even see Busters sister running around, they have good lunch, dinner and breakfast, coffee and baked goods. Lots of Vegan/veg items. Artwork and local music
23 locals recommend
Hot Waves Cafe
8 Pye PlSet in a pretty garden, you might even see Busters sister running around, they have good lunch, dinner and breakfast, coffee and baked goods. Lots of Vegan/veg items. Artwork and local music
Take the ferry over to Whitianga, just around to the right, across from the beach: outside setting, good food and reasonably priced. Andy and Elsie used to run the kitchen next door when I had the pizza/ice cream shop and they made great food and are super nice.
19 locals recommend
Stoked Restaurant and Bar
19 EsplanadeTake the ferry over to Whitianga, just around to the right, across from the beach: outside setting, good food and reasonably priced. Andy and Elsie used to run the kitchen next door when I had the pizza/ice cream shop and they made great food and are super nice.
The Vessel
37 Captain Cook RdThe Hive
450 Purangi RoadColenso Country Cafe & Country Shop
895 State Hwy 25super pretty garden setting
Entertainment & Activities
Lunch is a beautiful setting. Dining room is set up like a tropical spa with a view of a bit of the mineral pools. Small portions and a bit expensive, but a great treat.
Or perfect for rainy days, soak in the mineral pools- lots of different ones, get a massage or spa treatment
122 locals recommend
The Lost Spring
121A Cook DrLunch is a beautiful setting. Dining room is set up like a tropical spa with a view of a bit of the mineral pools. Small portions and a bit expensive, but a great treat.
Or perfect for rainy days, soak in the mineral pools- lots of different ones, get a massage or spa treatment
amazing sunrise kayak tour, look out for emma or brad, fantastic people
27 locals recommend
Cathedral Cove Water Taxi
amazing sunrise kayak tour, look out for emma or brad, fantastic people
Glass Bottom Boat Whitianga Scenic Cruise
16 Monk StParks & Nature
10 minute drive, the walk in is able 45 minutes with lots of stairs at the end. But a MUST SEE coming to the area. There is a water taxi (running is conditional on the sea), or boat tours and a kayak tour
148 locals recommend
Te Whanganui-A-Hei Marine Reserve
10 minute drive, the walk in is able 45 minutes with lots of stairs at the end. But a MUST SEE coming to the area. There is a water taxi (running is conditional on the sea), or boat tours and a kayak tour
Geothermic underground hot springs (sometimes as hot as 60ºC or 140ºF) run under the beach and bubble up through the sand, so that at low tide, you can dig your very own personal spa pool to relax in. A perfect activity all year round and a "Must Do" in the area!
It can get very crowded on the beach (especially over the NZ summer holidays), so make sure you allow enough time to get there, find a good spot and dig your hole. The hot springs are located about 100 metres along the beach from the top carpark.
LOCAL TIPS ON HOT WATER BEACH...
Best time to dig: Between 1-2 hours either side of low tide.
Occasionally, if there has been a storm or a very high tide, the hot pools may still be covered by the sea at low tide.
You'll need: Togs, towels and a decent spade (these can be hired at the beach shop by the top carpark).
We also recommend: Taking a bucket so you can cool down your pool with sea water. The water can get VERY HOT!
Access: 100m along the beach from the top carpark to the rocky outcrops (you'll see other people and steam rising from the sand). There is no wheelchair or stroller access.
If the top carpark is full, there is an alternate carpark at Bull Paddock on the left as you approach Hot Water Beach (before you cross the bridge). Follow the bush track by the stream to get to the beach. See photo # 5 for a walking map.
Facilities: There are toilets, changing rooms and outdoor showers by the top carpark.
SAFETY: Hot Water Beach is known for strong, fast-forming rips. It is NOT recommended as a swimming beach (especially for children or inexperienced swimmers).
202 locals recommend
Hot Water Beach
Geothermic underground hot springs (sometimes as hot as 60ºC or 140ºF) run under the beach and bubble up through the sand, so that at low tide, you can dig your very own personal spa pool to relax in. A perfect activity all year round and a "Must Do" in the area!
It can get very crowded on the beach (especially over the NZ summer holidays), so make sure you allow enough time to get there, find a good spot and dig your hole. The hot springs are located about 100 metres along the beach from the top carpark.
LOCAL TIPS ON HOT WATER BEACH...
Best time to dig: Between 1-2 hours either side of low tide.
Occasionally, if there has been a storm or a very high tide, the hot pools may still be covered by the sea at low tide.
You'll need: Togs, towels and a decent spade (these can be hired at the beach shop by the top carpark).
We also recommend: Taking a bucket so you can cool down your pool with sea water. The water can get VERY HOT!
Access: 100m along the beach from the top carpark to the rocky outcrops (you'll see other people and steam rising from the sand). There is no wheelchair or stroller access.
If the top carpark is full, there is an alternate carpark at Bull Paddock on the left as you approach Hot Water Beach (before you cross the bridge). Follow the bush track by the stream to get to the beach. See photo # 5 for a walking map.
Facilities: There are toilets, changing rooms and outdoor showers by the top carpark.
SAFETY: Hot Water Beach is known for strong, fast-forming rips. It is NOT recommended as a swimming beach (especially for children or inexperienced swimmers).
just outside of Tairua, make sure you wash your gear to prevent our trees getting diseased
Twin Kauri Reserve
just outside of Tairua, make sure you wash your gear to prevent our trees getting diseased
Gemstone Bay
just off trail to the cove, great snorkeling
Stingray Bay
off cove trail, snorkeling
Lonely Bay
The 309 Road Honey Shop
1681-1699 309 RdWaiwera
Egan Park
Opito Bay Beach
Opito Bay RoadKūaotunu Beach
Cooks Beach
Getting Around
Cathedral Cove Shuttle
1130 Purangi Rdhappy to book for you, taxi and tour service
Whitianga Ferry
1153 Purangi RdEssentials
Cooks Beach General Store
27 Captain Cook Rdcloses early in the winter
Cooks Beach Liquor Store
23 Captain Cook RdFerry Landing