Important Notice: Walkway access has been reopened for Cathedral Cove, but access remains closed for access to Gemstone Bay and Stingray Bay. DOC continues to warn of potential safety issues on the track. You can find out more here.
Stingray Bay and Gemstone Bay are two small bays in the Coromandel between Hahei and Cathedral Cove. They can be accessed from the main Cathedral Cove Walkway or by boat.
Gemstone seems oddly named, largely filled with rather large stones and rocks. But it is considered the best place for snorkelling and diving on this coast. Stingray is a more typical east coast beach, but it is unusual as white cliffs almost surround it. It is a good alternative to Cathedral Cove on excessively busy days.
Plus, there are views from the walkway of the bays that speak for themselves.
