The secrets of Donut Island
Inevitably nick-named Donut Island, this is an outwardly ordinary-looking little island, one of a small cluster just off the coast of Whangamata¯, but it hides a delightful secret.
What appears to be a solid, steep-sided lump of rock less than a kilometre offshore, topped by a velvety blanket of vegetation, is actually a collapsed volcanic blow hole in the form of a ring.
Conveniently, there is a dark, echoing, 12-metre-high tunnel on one side, which allows kayakers to slip through into a tiny open-air lagoon. The water is turquoise and clear, you can see right to the bottom, and hear the birdsong as you bob quietly on your kayak. It’s a perfect little natural treat.
Why go?
Because feeling intrepid was never so accessible. Pedal and Paddle has kayaks and stand-up paddleboards for hire and provides escorts for groups. SurfSup runs fully guided tours and hires out kayaks and SUPs for individual exploration.
Beginners are strongly advised to take the SurfSup guided option, which adds another dimension to the experience, with stories and information about the geology, ecology and cultural significance of the island.
Whichever you choose, with wind and tide on your side, it’s a fun and very do-able adventure.
Insider tip
Though there is a stony little beach inside the island, don’t even think about landing. The island is a wildlife sanctuary, a fragile and protected environment that you may only look at, not touch. It’s also the ancestral home of Nga¯ti Marama, the first Polynesians in the Whangamata¯ area, and is a spiritual place to their descendants.
On the way/nearby
Whangamata¯ is mainly all about the outdoors and especially the water: surfing from its two long, sandy beaches, swimming in the sheltered harbour, kayaking there or up the Otahu River, or fishing.
You can go to a surf school to perfect, or learn, your boardhandling skills, or be introduced to the stand-up paddleboard. Charter a boat, play golf or just laze.
In the Coromandel
Forest Park you can enjoy a variety of bike and walking trails, like the easy one to Wentworth Falls, tumbling down 50 metres in two picturesque leaps.
Or walk to Luck at Last Mine to see relics from the goldmining days that include the remains of a battery. There are art galleries to enjoy in town, plus shops, cafes and eateries.
How much?
SurfSup’s kayak and SUP options range from self-guided at $30 up to $80 a person for the Deluxe Guided tour, which includes a detailed commentary and a stop at nextdoor Hauturu Island. Pedal and
Paddle hires out SUPs for $35 and kayaks from $40. All rates are for two hours. Best time to go
Within a couple of hours either side of high tide, and ideally when the sea is calm. If you can time your visit to coincide with the early summer flowering of the po¯hutukawa on the island, your visit will be even more spectacular. See: surfsup.nz; pedalandpaddle.co. nz; thecoromandel.com.