Sports and the Outdoors

Cathedral Cove Dive and Snorkel Hahei. Cathedral Cove Dive and Snorkel Hahei gives beginner, advanced, and dive-master courses, as well as daily dive trips in the Te Whanganui-A-Hei Marine Reserve, Cathedral Cove, and around the outer islands and pinnacles. Most dive sites are a 10-minute boat ride away. 48 Hahei Beach Rd., Hahei, Waikato, 3591. 07/866–3955; www.hahei.co.nz/diving.

Cathedral Cove Kayak Tours. A great way to see this spectacular volcanic coastline is on a sea-kayaking tour with Cathedral Cove Sea Kayaking; and they're happy to work with beginners. You can paddle off the beach at Hahei and along the coast to the famous Cathedral Cove (the only kayak company licensed to land here), be served a cappuccino on the beach—and that's just the standard trip. They take groups of eight in double kayaks and pride themselves on taking visitors to places they are unlikely to see on foot. Other options, weather permitting, include full-day paddles (think caves, blowholes, and beaches all to yourselves), a sunrise or a sunset paddle, a family classic, and a remote coast tour. 88 Hahei Beach Rd., Hahei, Waikato, 3591. 07/866–3877; 0800/529--258; www.seakayaktours.co.nz. From NZ$105 for standard ½ day .

Hahei Explorer. Hahei Explorer, a sturdy, eight-seater rigid inflatable boat, explores this volcanic coastline's sea caves, blowhole, beaches, headlands, and spectacular Cathedral Cove. One-hour trips depart directly off Hahei Beach (the southeastern end) at 10 and 2 daily, also 9 and 3 in summer. Bookings essential; arrive 15 minutes before departure. Hahei, Waikato, 3591. 07/866–3910; www.haheiexplorer.co.nz. NZ$85.