Donut Island Guided Kayaking Experience | Whangamata | Shaara Deals
A guided kayak tour of Whangamata's volcanic coastline to the hidden crater of Donut Island (Whenuakura Island), with Surf Sup Kayaks on Shaara Deals from $105.
Whangamatā's coastline was shaped by ancient volcanic forces, and Surf Sup Kayaks have built a guided kayak tour that treats the geology itself as part of the experience, not just the scenery you paddle past on the way to somewhere else.
Your guide points out glossy fragments of obsidian embedded in the rock along the way, formed in moments of intense heat and rapid cooling, and once prized by Māori for its sharpness and spiritual significance. It's a small detail, but it sets the tone for a tour that's as much about understanding the land as it is about the paddling itself.
The main event: Donut Island
The tour's centrepiece is Whenuakura Island, better known as Donut Island: a collapsed volcanic crater turned secluded sanctuary, accessible only by water. Hidden behind sheer rock walls, the stillness inside is broken only by seabirds and the sound of the ocean breathing through the cave. It's genuinely striking, and not something you'd stumble across without a guide who knows exactly when and how to approach it respectfully.
Further along the route is a protected wildlife sanctuary, once home to the tuatara, a living fossil whose lineage stretches back over 200 million years. While rarely seen on the mainland today, their story lingers in these coastal refuges.
Onshore, before you paddle off
Beneath native bush onshore, you're invited to try a warm infusion of kawakawa tea, earthy and slightly peppery, long used in traditional Māori medicine to support digestion and overall wellbeing. It's less a drink and more a moment of connection to the culture behind the landscape you've just explored.
What's included and what to know
The price covers your kayak and paddle set up on the beach, a local guide, life jacket, dry bag, wetsuit and the kawakawa tea. It's rated beginner level, though conditions can vary with the weather, and a medium level of fitness along with the ability to handle waves and windy conditions is required. Anyone nervous of water or waves should think carefully before booking, given the chance of capsizing. The minimum age is 4 years old.
Tours run at 9am, 12pm and 3pm daily, weather permitting, and meet at the beach reserve on Island View Road, by beach access 14, 10 minutes before the tour, where payment and the disclaimer are handled. Bring sunblock, a hat, a bottle of water and swimming clothes, ideally a lycra shirt.
The essentials
- Deal: Donut Island (Whenuakura Island) fully guided kayak experience
- Price: From $105
- Duration: Approximately 2 hours
- Location: Whangamatā, Coromandel Peninsula
- Merchant: Surf Sup Kayaks
FAQs
Do I need kayaking experience?
No, it's rated beginner level, though a medium level of fitness and the ability to handle waves and wind is needed, as conditions can vary.
What's included in the price?
Kayak and paddle, local guide, life jacket, dry bag, wetsuit and kawakawa tea.
What times do tours run?
9am, 12pm and 3pm daily, weather permitting.
Is there a minimum age?
Yes, participants must be over 4 years old.
Book the Donut Island Guided Kayaking Experience on Shaara Deals at https://shaaradeals.co.nz/deal/6a94c9f75e6b13bdbe24233f and paddle into one of Whangamatā's most striking hidden spots.
