One of my most memorable adventures in New Zealand was Kayaking to Donut Island aka Whenuakura Island, New Zealand. A well kept secret, Donut Island has two very intimate beaches in the center of a collapsed blowhole surrounded by trees and a small cave you can venture into. It's located 1 kilometre East of Whangamata Beach on the Coromandel Peninsula and takes about two to three hours to drive to from Auckland.
View from Whangamata Beach. Donut Island is the middle one :)
Closer view of Donut Island from the outside.
We didn't hesitate and immediately jumped into the breaking waves on Whangamata Beach and began rowing.
This was my first time Kayaking. I have to admit, it was rather challenging as I had a very painful rib injury I acquired a few weeks before the trip that hurt tremendously. Every time I rowed with my right arm it felt as if my ribs were collapsing. Nevertheless, I tried my best to not let it ruin this adventure. :)
Rowing to Whenuakura Island
Mark was an amazingly patient and supportive through out the whole journey. Below, Mark leads us into the opening of Donut Island (Whenuakura Island) from the South-East end.
Mark the leader.
It was such an epic experience rowing into the Island. The water, the sounds, the views were just incredible.
Kayaking into the center of the Island.
Though Donut Island is a well kept secret, there were a few people having the time of their lives as we kayaked in.
People swimming, jumping off the side of the cliff and other kayaks on the beach :)
We came right up onto the beach, jumped out the Kayaks and marveled at the beauty and exotic creation mother nature had given birth to.
Image from the small beach inside Donut Island
I took a quick clip below :)
I walked over to the East Side of the blowhole and began taking photos. Every now and then I'd slip on a rock and risked falling but it was worth it because I managed to capture the image below ...
Photograph from East end of the Beach
I looked over and noticed my fellow adventurers making there way to a small cave on the West end of the island. I quickly rushed over so I could explore it with them.
I miscalculated the size of a boulder in the water and ended up slamming into my knee into it at full force. Now with a throbbing pain in my chest and bruised knee I finally made it and we went on to snoop around in the cave.
Mark leading the way into the cave
Lucie snooping around in the cave ...
Inside, we found a beautifully spun silk web. As I closely examined the web it spoke volumes. I saw the spider web as a metaphor to life.
The Web in the Cave
Before leaving the cave I managed to, as I always do on an epic adventure, I sacrificed something from my photography arsenal. Fortunately, this time it was just the lens cover of my Rokinon 8mm lens which made its way in between a bed of boulders as we left the cave.
View of blowhole of Donut Island from inside the Cave
When leaving Donut Island we decide to Kayak to Hauturu Island and hike up to the top.
Lucie paddling by Maukaha Rocks to Hauturu Island
View from Hauturu Island below. Whangamata Beach is on the right side.
Kayaks at Hauturu Island
Mark & Lucie trekked up like seasoned athletes as my bruised ribs & knee trailed behind. :-)
Hiking up Hauturu Island
The hike became steeper and steeper at Hauturu Island
Quick clip of the trek up ...
Once we got to the top we took a five minute breather and I swung my legs off the cliff :)
Sitting at top of Hauturu Island
As always, Lucie in her thoughts ...
Lucie deep in thoughts on top of Hauturu Island
After a two hour kayaking adventure we made it back to Whangamata Beach. I turned around and pressed the shutter button :)
Whangamata Beach. Top Left: Hauturu Island, Left Center: Maukaha Rocks, Center: Whenuakura Island aka Donut Island, Center right: Rawengaiti Island.
If you find yourself in New Zealand and are looking for a fun, beautiful and adventurous activity I would highly recommend doing this. You can rent the kayaks right on the beach and in two to three hours you'll have memories that will last a lifetime.
Can't wait to share more stories and photos with you guys.
Thanks for viewing :)
-Asim