Whangamata Beach

Whangamata is the Coromandel's surf town: four kilometres of white sand facing east, a sandbar at the harbour entrance that produces one of the better right-hand breaks in the country when the swell lines up, and a main street that exists mostly to serve it. The beach is patrolled in summer by a long-established surf club. Just offshore lies Whenuakura, the Donut Island, a small island with a collapsed sea cave forming a circular lagoon inside it - reachable by kayak or paddleboard and heavily promoted for a while, until damage and safety incidents led to landing being prohibited; you may paddle in, but going ashore is banned. Behind the town the Wentworth Valley has a waterfall walk and the old Luck at Last gold mine workings. In January the population multiplies several times over and the town is genuinely busy; by March it is a quiet seaside place again.

What you actually see

• The bar break - the right-hander at the harbour entrance.
• The four-kilometre beach - patrolled in summer.
• Whenuakura, the Donut Island - paddled into, but no landing allowed.
• The Wentworth Valley - waterfall walk and old gold workings.

When to go

December to March; January is peak and crowded. Book accommodation months ahead for the summer weeks. Paddling to the island needs calm conditions.

Honest expectations

Landing on Donut Island is prohibited and enforced - paddle in and out only, and not in swell. The bar break is for experienced surfers; the beach breaks are the beginner option. January prices and crowds are a different town from March.

Nearby

Waihi Beach is south; Tairua, Hahei and Hot Water Beach are north.