Surfsup

Whenuakura (Donut Island) was a local secret in Whangamata for years. And then social media happened. Now it’s become a ‘must do’ in New Zealand. You get there by paddling, and entry is via a single 40ft high cave. Once you’ve passed through the entrance and listened to your voice echo off the cliffs you emerge into a small glassy green lagoon, with pohutukawa draped around it. There are two small beaches in the centre of the island's collapsed blowhole and you feel like a castaway who has stumbled across a little piece of paradise - that you can’t stand on. Local iwi and guardians of Whenuakura ask that you stay in the water and don’t set foot on the island, just marvel from the lagoon. The island is a wildlife sanctuary so it's important.

Guardians of the island also ask that you go with a guided tour and take nothing but photos. Surfsup New Zealand has been offering kayak and stand up paddleboard (SUP) tours in Whangamata since 2015 and work with all abilities. They are professionals with a good knowledge of the local ecology, cultural history and work closely with the community and Iwi.