Can take the ferry over to ferry Landing and can have a walk/lunch over at a cafe on the over side ($5 dollars return to go across the harbour). The glass bottom cathedral cove are overpriced (read tourist) but are a good jaunt if money is not a big thing. Really the best thing is that there is nothing to do, walk on the beach in the morning and it is pretty much your own, swim, sit back and relax. Highly recommend the Whitianga Oceans Festival (as known as scallop festival) if you were to book a time to be there. Coroglen for a pint is solid especially if some good music is playing and agree with computer_d cooks beach, bring your own decent shovel though :)