Within two hours either side of low tide visitors flock to the usually deserted Hot Water Beach to find hot water bubbling through the golden sand. Families, kids and couples can be seen digging their own spa pool in the sand and relaxing in the natural springs. Often rated as one of the world's most renowned beaches - this is one experience that should be on your bucket list. A truly unique Kiwi experience that every New Zealander should experience at least once in their lifetime!
The beach also boasts some great surf, cruisy cafés and art galleries and is only a 5 minute drive to another Coromandel ‘must do’ – Cathedral Cove.
What is Hot Water Beach?
It is possible to dig into the sand allowing hot water to escape to the surface forming a hot water pool. The water, with a temperature as hot as 64°C (147°F), filters up from two underground fissures located close to each other to the surface where the beach meets the Pacific Ocean. These natural springs can be found on the beach in front of the projecting rocks (the whole beach is not hot). With the ebb and flow of the tide the pools are washed away, clearing the way for the next influx of visitors. For further information including the best time of day to visit and exact location details refer to the product listing for Hot Water Beach
Ngati Hei
Ngati Hei are the tangata whenua (people of the land) along the Mercury Bay coastline. Hot Water Beach is historically and culturally significant to Ngati Hei. Archaeologists believe the Whitianga locale has been populated by the Ngati Hei iwi (tribe) for a thousand years, thus making it one of New Zealand’s longest inhabited areas. To this day Ngati Hei endeavour to protect this taonga (treasure), that is near an Urupa (burial ground) and Pa site (fortified settlement), and hope that you too will respect this special location.
Safety Warning
It is advised that swimmers only swim between the flags if the Hot Water Beach Surf Life Saving Crew Service are on patrol. The rocks in front of the hot springs are a hazardous location for strong currents, holes and rips making swimming in this location dangerous. Remember – always swim between the flags and if in doubt don’t go out.
Surfing
While the natural occurences at Hot Water Beach can make it a dangerous swimming beach (without lifeguards) it’s these formations that contribute to it’s reputation for a great surfing beach – for experienced surfers. Hot Water Beach handles a good size swell with banks along the beach making for good 'A frame' waves and the point holding a nice right hand wave when the conditions are right. The northern end of the beach is more popular with locals, however it’s advised to surf here with others as the steep banks and hidden rocks make for a heavy break. Check out more surf spots in The Coromandelhere
Parking is available in three locations: The Main Beach carpark, Te Waiwai carpark and the Main Store carpark. Note, fees may apply at the Main Store carpark.
Spades are available for hire at Hotties Cafe, Hot Water Beach Cafe and the Hot Water Beach Top 10 Holiday Park.
The 112,500-acre Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness lies approximately 10 miles west of Page, Arizona in Coconino County, Arizona and Kane County, Utah.
Nationally known for its beauty, the Paria Canyon has towering walls streaked with desert varnish, huge red rock amphitheaters, sandstone arches, wooded terraces, and hanging gardens. The 3,000-foot escarpment known as the Vermilion Cliffs dominates the remainder of the wilderness with its thick Navajo sandstone face, steep, boulder-strewn slopes, rugged arroyos and stark overall appearance. Some of the best slot canyon hiking opportunities on the Colorado Plateau are found here. Deer and desert bighorn sheep inhabit the area.
The wilderness also provides opportunities for backpacking, photography, and solitude. In the northwest portion of the wilderness lies Coyote Buttes, an area of spectacular scenery displaying domes, aprons, fins, corridors, and a variety of small fragile rock sculptures carved in colorful swirling cross bedded sandstone. The variety of colors and textures in the rock formations within the wilderness constantly change with variations in light and weather. This colorful sandstone area creates a feeling of wonder and amazement.
The Paria River is subject to periodic and seasonal flooding. The US Geological Survey collectsParia River streamflow dataat their gaging station on the Paria River at Lees Ferry, Arizona.
Access
Access to the northern portion of the wilderness is via U.S. Highway 89, which passes within three miles of the area. U.S. 89A skirts the base of the Vermilion Cliffs on the south while access to the eastern portion is the road to Lee's Ferry. Access on the west is the House Rock/Coyote Valley Road (BLM Road 1065).
Visitor Use Regulations and Permits
Three Bureau of Land Management offices manage the Paria Permits area within the wilderness; the Kanab Field Office, the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument. The Kanab Field Office, Paria Contact Station and the St. George BLM Interagency information Center provide visitor use information for Paria Canyon, Buckskin Gulch, Wire Pass, and Coyote Buttes and administer the permit system for these portions of the wilderness area. A brief summary of visitor use regulations is provided below.
Paria Canyon, Buckskin Gulch, and Wire Pass
Advance permits are required for overnight use. There is a limit on overnight use in the canyon to 20 persons per day.
Paria Canyon day use permits are available via self-serve envelopes at each trailhead. There are no visitor use limits for day use for the Paria Canyon. This does not include Coyote Buttes North or Coyote Buttes South day use areas.
Day users must display the permit on their vehicle windshield. Overnight users must display the permit on the otuside of their backpack and on the dashboard of their vehicle.
Campfires are prohibited.
Dogs are allowed but require permits. They must be kept under control at all times.
The use of human waste bags is mandatory on Paria Canyon overnight trips. Their cost is covered in the permit fee, and they are available at the Paria Contact Station, the Grand Staircase-Escalante Visitor Center in Kanab, Utah, and the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument Office in St. George, Utah.
Use existing campsites at least 200 feet from a water source.
No camping on or adjacent to any archaeological site.
Wrather Canyon is closed to camping.
Group size cannot exceed ten people.
All trash must be packed out, including toilet paper and human waste bags.
Use of public land for business or financial gain requires a special permit.
Wilderness is closed to motor vehicles, mechanical transport, and motorized equipment.
Coyote Buttes
Advance permits are required for day use. There is no overnight camping allowed in the Coyote Buttes permit area.
Day use permits are available online and through a walk-in lottery conducted at the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Visitor Center in Kanab, Utah.
Day users must display half their permit on their vehicle windshield and the other half must be visible on the outside of their backpack.
Campfires are prohibited.
Dogs are allowed, provided they have permits. They must be kept under control at all times.
A map and route description to the “Wave” formation is provided along with the Coyote Buttes North permit.
Group size cannot exceed six.
All trash must be packed out, including toilet paper.
Use of public land for business or financial gain requires a special permit.
Wilderness is closed to motor vehicles, mechanical transport, and motorized equipment.
Some lands around and within the wilderness are not federally administered. Please respect the property of the owners and do not cross or use these lands without their permission.
Related Maps
7.5 minute Topographic: House Rock Emmett Hill, Emmett Wash, Bitter Springs, Lees Ferry, Navajo Bridge, The Big Knoll, One Toe Ridge, House Rock Spring, Coyote Buttes, Poverty Flat, Wrather Arch, Water Pockets, Ferry Swale, Arizona; Glen Canyon City, Bridger Point, West Clark Bench, Pine Hollow Canyon, Utah.
Also, Arizona Strip District Visitor Map and Hikers Guide to the Paria Canyon
1:100,000 BLM Surface Management: Fredonia, Glen Canyon Dam
Fernando de Noronhais an archipelago inBraziland a UNESCO NaturalWorld Heritage Site. Its pristine beaches, landscapes and wildlife attract tourists worldwide.
Understand
The archipelago has never been linked to the mainland. Geologically, it is the tip of a submarine volcanic formation which rises out of the deep seabed and consists of one main island and several rocks and islets. The rocks form many natural aquaria and the underwater life is diverse. Because the reefs of the South Atlantic are isolated from the Caribbean by the outflow of the Orinoco and Amazon rivers, the reef communities are very different with many endemic species.
Bathed by currents coming from Africa the waters around the islands are very clear with very good visibility even at 50 meters and have great year-round warm temperatures. Of course, you can also see the large “global” species such as manta rays, sharks, moray eels, goliath groupers, sea turtles and dolphins.
The island is also home to one of the largest sea bird breeding colonies in the South Atlantic.
Discovered by Amerigo Vespucci (1454-1512), Italian merchant and cartographer in 1503, the archipelago is 4 degrees south of the Equator, around 200 miles off the northeastern coast of Brazil, north east to the city ofrecife.
During its 500 years history, Fernando de Noronha has been temporarily occupied by the Dutch (17th century), French (18th century) before Portugal established dominion in 1737. They built an extensive defense system of 10 forts. The largest and best conserved fortress is Nossa Senhora dos Remédios de Fernando de Noronha.
The island also served as a prison and a US Army base. Today the population is around 5,000 and the main industry is tourism.
As an unique ecological sanctuary, Fernando de Noronha is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a large part of the area is a National Marine Park. And it has the most wonderful beaches situated in Pernambuco. Three (Sancho, Porcos and Leão) regularly feature in Brazil's top beaches list.
Being a small island with limited water resources and a fragile ecosystem, there is a maximum number of 460 visitors allowed on the island. Visitors also pay an Environmental Preservation Tax that increases progressively with the length of the visit.
The relative isolation from the mainland, the limits on visitors and the preservation make Fernando de Noronha an expensive destination. But the "happy few" will be well rewarded by the delights of this island paradise and its fascinating underwater world.
Get in
By Air
Flight times are 1:40 from Recife (540 km) and 1:10 from Natal (350 km). Flights by Azul Airlines and Gol Airlinesoperate daily. There are also charters and full packages available from major Brazilian cities, available from most Brazilian travel agents.
During high season travel operator CVC[2] has 4-6 days cruises from Fortaleza, Natal and Recife.
Get Around
The archipelago comprises 21 islands. Only the largest of them is inhabited (pop. 5,000), and visiting the other islands requires special authorization from the environmental authority, as they are protected areas of a National Maritime Park.
There is one road that circles the main island and connects many of its attractions. It is possible to rent a car or a buggy for about US $50 - 70 a day or a motorbike for $35 - 40 a day depending from whom and how long you rent.
The easiest way to get around is by bus (R$ 3.20) which goes back and forth along the main road from the Port on one end of the island to Praia de Sueste on the other. Another option is to hitchhike as almost all the local people and sometimes the odd taxi or dive truck will be happy to pick you up and give you a ride if you are going in their direction. If you choose to hitchhike, try and learn at least some Portuguese so you can tell them where you want to go and say thank you at the end of the ride.
Time zone is UTC-02:00 hours year-round, meaning that for most of the year it is one hour ahead of the standard time zone of coastal and most of central Brazil, and from mid-October through mid-February (Daylight Saving Time in all except the more northern Brazilian states), the same time zone.
See
·The sunset.
·Sancho Bay from above. This is considered the most beautiful beach on the island, although the Pig Bay is considered by many as the most beautiful one. Both are side by side, and you can see both in the same day.
·The full moon rising from the ocean. In some areas you will be able to see the rocks under the water near the beachs at night because of the full moon.
·Dolphins at the Dolphins Bay site
·Sea turtles on Sueste Bay (Baía do Sueste)
·Pig Bay (Baía dos Porcos)
·Atalaia
·Underwater life
Do
·Beaches - Fernando de Noronha is home to the top two beaches in Brazil - Praia do Leão and Baía do Sancho. Both beaches offer crystal clear blue water with areas for swimming and snorkeling. If you decide to visit, it is a good idea to bring along your own provisions as well as an umbrella as there is no shade at Praia de Leão and the shaded areas of Baia do Sancho quickly fill up with other visitors.
·Boat tours
·Buggy tours (english spoken by Jurgen, Fernando de Noronha, ☎ ''+55 81 3619 1829, +55 81 8434 0000'' (info@fernando-de-noronha.info).
·Dolphin watching
·Diving - with visibility up to 50 meters, Fernando de Noronha is a Mecca for divers and snorkelers at any level of expertise. It has more than two hundred species of fish, five shark species, sea turtles and dolphins.
·Snorkelling - Despite what several of the travel guide books say, snorkeling at Praia da Atalaia is no longer unrestricted, but you have to register at the ICMbio, near the Projeto Tamar. The pool can only be visited at low tide, the number of visitors is restricted to 100 per day. The tide pool itself is about 18-24 inches deep but contains a remarkable diversity of animals. Lobsters, octopuses and numerous fish species inhabit the pool and, if you are lucky, maybe a baby shark. The tidal pool is monitored by the government of the island. If you choose to go keep in mind a few things:
·Visitors are not allowed to wear suntan lotion as the oils from the lotion will pollute the tidal pool
·You are only allowed to stand or put your knees down in a small sandy area in the middle of the pool. If you are not a confident snorkeler (i.e. capable of floating on the top of the water) then do some practice at another beach before you go. They will remove you from the pool and you could be fined if you violate this rule.
·Trekking - there are also many different trails to choose from, but some restrictions apply. Trails in the National Marine Reserve (Parnamar/FN) can only be visited with authorization and with accredited guides. Trails inside the Environment Preservation Area (Apa/FN) have free access.
It is possible to dig into the sand allowing hot water to escape to the surface forming a hot water pool. The water, with a temperature as hot as 64°C (147°F), filters up from two underground fissures located close to each other to the surface where the beach meets the Pacific Ocean. These natural springs can be found on the beach in front of the projecting rocks (the whole beach is not hot). With the ebb and flow of the tide the pools are washed away, clearing the way for the next influx of visitors. For further information including the best time of day to visit and exact location details refer to the product listing for Hot Water Beach
.jpg)
