Whenuakura Island
Whenuakura Island
4.5
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4.5
19 reviews
Excellent
14
Very good
4
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1
Poor
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0
davidwilliambarnes
Blackpool, UK1,543 contributions
Jan 2023 • Couples
Went to this island, otherwise known as Donut Island, with an experienced kayak company. They made the trip so easy with their experience / guidance. The day we went out was quite serene compared to the day before so it was less arduous than I thought.
Written 22 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrew & Marie
Christchurch, New Zealand63 contributions
Apr 2021 • Family
Amazing views from inside. Very dependent on the weather and tide.
Tide surge can be pretty exciting or terrifying depending on person.
NOT for young children.
Day we went it was easy getting out but really hard paddling back!!!
Wear togs as you will get wet going out through waves and coming back in.
Tide surge can be pretty exciting or terrifying depending on person.
NOT for young children.
Day we went it was easy getting out but really hard paddling back!!!
Wear togs as you will get wet going out through waves and coming back in.
Written 24 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lee Bond
39 contributions
Dec 2018 • Couples
It's worth the paddle out to this amazing little island. The beach is small and it is better to go at mid to low tide. Fantastic photos on a glorious day.
Written 16 December 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Swifty72
Nelson, New Zealand49 contributions
Jan 2019 • Friends
We went on a guided trip with Surfsup Kayaks from beach access 14. We are not experienced kayakers so we were glad to have the support of Rob and his colleague.
Beautiful iconic sight.
You can take your camara as they loan you waterproof bags and I would also advise taking some water.
After seeing the island you go to another island nearby for a swim.
Coming back in we rode a big wave which was a little bit exciting....we managed to stay afloat!
Beautiful iconic sight.
You can take your camara as they loan you waterproof bags and I would also advise taking some water.
After seeing the island you go to another island nearby for a swim.
Coming back in we rode a big wave which was a little bit exciting....we managed to stay afloat!
Written 19 January 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
692pnc
Hamilton & Waikato Region, New Zealand95 contributions
Apr 2018 • Friends
Paddle boarded out with my sister earlier this month. We didn’t take guide and although not experienced paddle boarders we had no issues at all.
We went early morning and it was lovely. Would be even better on a nice day with the sun shining through the trees.
Definitely a New Zealand treasure!
We went early morning and it was lovely. Would be even better on a nice day with the sun shining through the trees.
Definitely a New Zealand treasure!
Written 28 April 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Donna T
Auckland, New Zealand431 contributions
Jan 2018 • Family
The island is nicknamed Donut Island, and certainly well worth a trip out to see this magical place. The day we went was very overcast and a little rough (was the last trip out for the next 4 days due to the wheather). We went on a guided trip, which if you have younger ones, or not so competent I highly recommend (we used guided due to the sea being a little rough). Even on a glum day it was well worth a trip out. However, we will be returning on a much brighter day in the future as I am sure it wil look much more magical - with sun glistening in on it. The paddle out there is reasonbly easy, we hired double kayaks, to make the work a little lighter.
Written 22 January 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JamesNZL
Wellington, New Zealand55 contributions
Dec 2017 • Couples
Hired a double Kayak from the Estuary store and went out with my partner. Awesome kayak out to the Island and even better once you're in there. I've been a few times before and even tho you are no longer allowed to exit your kayak, it does nothing to hinder the experience.
Written 30 December 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
zaphroit
Half Moon Bay, New Zealand90 contributions
Jan 2017 • Couples
Without a doubt the best place to visit in whangamata. We had been told by a friend that this was a favourite place In new Zealand and amazingly it lived up to the expectations.
The island is nicknamed donut island. Kayak to the cave that takes you to the donut hole. Best to go during high sun so you get more light while you enjoy the nice little beach in the donut. Also, if you're the adventurous type and want to do some cliff jumping over the top of the cave entrance, I'd recommend going at high tide. A blast of an experience!!!!
The island is nicknamed donut island. Kayak to the cave that takes you to the donut hole. Best to go during high sun so you get more light while you enjoy the nice little beach in the donut. Also, if you're the adventurous type and want to do some cliff jumping over the top of the cave entrance, I'd recommend going at high tide. A blast of an experience!!!!
Written 30 January 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
juliecI5742RE
1 contribution
Jan 2017
Most unexpectedly beautiful. To kayak in there and see that - it is described to you but seeing it is believing...
Written 9 January 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
pjr1531
Anchorage, AK204 contributions
Dec 2016 • Couples
My husband and I rented a kayak and spent an hour and half kayaking the estuary and out to Donut Island. What was unique is the kayaking through a cave into a beautiful little peace of heaven. The sun shining through the into the hole so very stunning. We went through on a high tide and did not have any problems with waves or sea. Wish we had a Go Pro with us. Would recommend.
Written 4 December 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi there,
I’m planning on doing that trip with my retired parents so I would like to know a few things to make the most of this experience:
- how long does it roughly take to get there? (Is there any big waves/wind)
- how long could we stay? :)
- do we really need a guide to get inside/outside the Donuts (like, is there any difficulty to get inside/outside?) or for something else?
Thanks guys for your help!
Jonathan
Written 5 January 2018
You may have been already.... It takes 15-35 mins to paddle out there depending on fitness and wind. I'm a 44yo male of average fitness and it took a steady 20 mins to paddle out there in a single kayak. The trickiest part is rounding the rocks at the end where you can be exposed to the ocean swell which can test your balance as you navigate through the narrow entrance way.. The swell also typically enters the inside of the 'donut', so you need to be careful to watch for incoming waves. If the sea if calm or they are fit, you'll have no problem. No need for a guide. I went at high tide when the rocks inside are fully covered. You can stay as long as you like, but there isn't a lot of space. I think 6 kayaks in there would start to get busy since you have to stay afloat and can't land. 10 mins inside is probably plenty for most.
Written 29 January 2019
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