Donut Island Adventure
Hi guys! We, Juliette & Graatje, are on a two-week road trip across the North Island of New Zealand. In our blogs, we share our activities and experiences from this breathtaking island. Today, we take you on our journey to uncover a hidden treasure in Whangamata - the Whenuakura Wildlife Sanctuary, better known as Donut Island.
Go to SurfSup
As the calm sun greet us on our first morning in New Zealand, we meet the folks from SurfSup on the beach closest to the island.
(tap here for the location) They outfit us with a double kayak, paddles, and life vests. Graatje and I have kayaked many times before, which is why we decided not to join the tour but to paddle to Whenuakura on our own. You can rent or book your kayak tour here.
How to Kayak to Donut Island
Donut Island is about 600-700 meters from the beach. On a calm morning like today, it doesn't take us long to get there. The water is flat, and for us, it took about 30/45 minutes. From the outside, Donut Island doesn't look any more special than the other islands nearby. The SurfSup folks told us that if we approached the island from the right, we'd soon see the cave entrance to the island. The cave is truly a tunnel that leads to the most fantastic place.
The Cave
Entering the cave, the water is a dark blue, suggesting I could see all the way to the ground if it wasn't so deep. And the cave ceiling! Stalactites hang from the ceiling like giant teeth! And it's getting even better! The cave opens into a bay on the island! Steep walls surround us (hence the "Donut" in the island's name), lush greenery hangs from the walls. The color of the water changes into the most amazing turquoise. If you look closely, you'll see our kayaks in the middle of the bushes.
The rules surrounding Donut Island
Can you swim at Donut Island? You sure can. The water might just not be as warm as it looks.
Can you step on the island? Whenuakura Island is tapu, which is the Maori word for sacred. You should not set foot on the island, not only because it’s sacred but Whenuakura’s also a wildlife sanctuary.
Where can I moor with the kayak? Seeking a warm and sunny beach, we leave Donut Island behind, paddle past the Maukaha Rocks to a lovely beach on Hauturu Island before returning to Whangamata Beach.
With hearts full of memories of Donut Island's spectacular beauty, we continue our road trip on the North Island of New Zealand, knowing that we've discovered one of Whangamata's best-kept secrets.
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