Discovering Maramaratotara Bay
Tucked between the coastal settlement of Cooks Beach and Ferry Landing on the Coromandel Peninsula, Maramaratotara Bay is easy to overlook, despite being right next to Purangi Road, as it sweeps round to the ferry wharf. You can access the bay at the east end, best at low tide, then wander around the base of the cliffs below the road to the rocky Whakapenui Point at the mouth of the Whitianga Harbour. You can also walk along the footpath above the bay which faces northeast across Mercury Bay, capturing the morning light with spectacular sunrises.
Exploring the Bay
Maramaratotara Bay hugs the base of cliffs that form part of the ancient volcanic landscape that defines much of the Coromandel. At the northeast end of the bay are the stunning Shakespeare Cliff, up to 60 metres high.
At low tide, you can access parts of the rocky foreshore, discovering rock pools and weathered rock formations. The cliffs themselves are composed of ignimbrite and andesite, volcanic rock types common in the region.
Nearby Ferry Landing is the site of one of the earliest European settlements in New Zealand and played a key role in trade and transportation in the 1800s.
Wildlife Encounters
At the southern end of the bay, you may encounter large numbers of red-billed gulls (tarāpunga), especially during the breeding season (usually from October to January). These birds nest on the cliffs and rocky outcrops, and they can become defensive if you venture too close. It’s important to observe from a distance and respect the birds’ breeding territory to avoid disturbing their habitat. Other birdlife in the area may include variable oystercatchers (tōrea), pied shags, and, occasionally, New Zealand dotterels, a threatened species that nests on nearby coastal sandspits and headlands.
How to Get There
To reach Maramaratotara Bay from Whenuakite on State Highway 25, take Hot Water Beach Road north, then veer northwest onto Purangi Road. Follow this road to the small parking area at the east end of the bay.
The bay is a nice addition to the Whitianga Rock Walk and the Whitianga Rock to Purangi Road Track. Other nearby places to visit include Lonely Bay, Hahei, Cathedral Cove, Hereheretaura Point, and Hot Water Beach.
