What to do in Cooks Beach

Activities, attractions and tours
Cooks Beach

Cooks Beach Attractions

Let Expedia help you to experience the best that Cooks Beach has to offer! If you’re planning a trip to Cooks Beach, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling to Cooks Beach with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Places of interest in Cooks Beach

Cooks Beach is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay in Cooks Beach, and make it a breeze to explore Cooks Beach and the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Cooks Beach to make sure that you enjoy your holiday to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit to Cooks Beach, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights in Cooks Beach.

Cooks Beach attractions

Cooks Beach has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions in Cooks Beach to keep you entertained. Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Cooks Beach.

Looking for things to do in Cooks Beach can be time-consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine of Cooks Beach or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Cooks Beach attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season. Happy trails!

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Top places to visit

1. Coromandel Peninsula

Coromandel Peninsula, more commonly known as The Coromandel, is a region of exceptional natural beauty. Swim or surf in pristine blue-green water at many secluded beaches. With dense, misty forests and impressive mountainous valleys, The Coromandel is perfect for outdoor activities, such as hiking, mountain biking, kayaking and boating.
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Hot Water Beach featuring a sunset, mountains and a bay or harbour

2. Cathedral Cove

New Zealand is full of spectacular scenery, and the Cathedral Cove Marine Reserve in the Coromandel Peninsular is no exception. White rock cliffs, a large pumice island, and a naturally formed archway joining Cathedral Cove Beach to Mares Leg Cove give this beach a distinct look.
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Cathedral Cove Beach showing a sunset, general coastal views and rugged coastline

3. Hot Water Beach

Grab your bucket and spade and head to Hot Water Beach at low tide to find two natural warm water springs. Dig a pool and mix the hot water with just the right amount of seawater to create your perfect bath. Enjoy a relaxing stroll along this beautiful stretch of sand and find a quiet place to rest with a good book. Enjoy a meal in the oceanfront café and shop for souvenirs in the shops behind the beach.
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Hot Water Beach showing a beach, landscape views and tropical scenes

4. Hahei Beach

Situated on the majestic Mercury Bay, the tiny settlement of Hahei Beach becomes a bustling tourist town in the summer months. Its 350 permanent residents will welcome you to their town, ready to show you their beautiful pink-shell beach, the protected marine reserve and the pods of dolphins that live off shore. Enjoy a round of golf, browse for souvenirs at local gift shops and enjoy a pint at a local craft brewery as you indulge in the offerings of the Coromandel Peninsula.
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Hahei Beach showing a beach, a bay or harbour and a sunset

5. Shakespeare Cliff Lookout

Overlooking one of Mercury Bay’s most secluded swimming spots, Shakespeare Cliff Lookout provides sweeping views across the ocean and a comfortable picnic area. Take a stroll through the network of hiking trails that zigzag across the reserve or venture down to Lonely Bay Beach to have a dip in the ocean after you admire the views.
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Shakespeare Lookout which includes a sunset, rocky coastline and mountains

Popular places to visit

Image for Shakespeare Cliff Lookout

Shakespeare Cliff Lookout

Surrounded by a nature reserve, this scenic lookout offers picnic areas, walking trails and stunning photo opportunities of beaches with aquamarine water lapping white sand.

Shakespeare Cliff Lookout
Image for Captain Cook's Memorial

Captain Cook's Memorial

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Find out about the history of Cooks Beach with a stop at Captain Cook's Memorial. Wander through the beautiful beaches and seaside in this relaxing area.

Captain Cook's Memorial
Image for Purangi Regional Reserve

Purangi Regional Reserve

You can take time to visit Purangi Regional Reserve during your travels to Cooks Beach. Wander the beaches and gardens while you're in the area.

Purangi Regional Reserve

Day trip destinations from Cooks Beach

Cathedral Cove Beach showing a sandy beach, general coastal views and caves

Whitianga