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Water from two hot springs comes up through the sand on one part of the beach within two hours each side of low tide and you can dig your own hot pool. At the points where the water comes up, it is about 64°C (147°F), which is too hot to bathe in, so you need to dig a pool a little further away and let the hot water run down into it. Spades for hire at the cafes for $5.
Hot Water Beach is a beach on the east coast of the Coromandel Peninsula, New Zealand, just south of Mercury Bay. It is approximately 12 kilometres south east of Whitianga, and approximately 175 kilometres from Auckland by car. Its name comes from underground hot springs that filter up through the sand between the high and low water tidal reaches. The beach is a popular destination both for locals and tourists. Annual visitor numbers have been estimated at 700,000, making it one of the most popular geothermal attractions in the Waikato region.
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Two Maori pa sites on the headland at the southern end of Hahei Beach. A 15-minute walk with great views.
The track starts at the carpark on Grange Rd, at the northern end of Hahei. The walk down to the cove takes 35 mins one way. Stingray Bay is 20 mins from carpark. The walk back takes 45 mins. The cove has a limestone rock arch that separates two sandy beaches. At peak summer time, the Grange Rd carpark is usually full, so use the park-and-ride shuttle that operates from the entrance to the town from 27 Dec through January and Waitangi weekend – fares are $5 adult, $3 child up to 15 years, $10 family (up to 2 adults and 2 children).