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.

Highlights

• 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.

What to expect

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.