Sandspit weekend

Sandspit weekend, 27-28 August - with Joya. Rescheduled from 9-10 July.

Sandspit is about 10kms east of Warkworth in the heart of Kawau Bay (approx 1hr from Auckland). This is one of my favourite places - great camp site and a variety of places to paddle to. To see why, check out photos from a previous trip...

Suitable for strong beginners plus.

Friday – gather over the day. An evening paddle from the wharf, approx 2-3hrs. If weather is poor – the usual shared nibbles with self catered dinner after.

Saturday - 9am start from the wharf. For strong beginners or those out of practice – a paddle north up the coast and cross the channel to Kawau 20km-ish, 5-6 hours. For intermediates a circumnavigation of Kawau 36km (6-7 hours). Lunch on a beach. Very good hot chocolate or lattes available at Mansion House café (and recommended) on the return side (take money).
Alternatives (depending on wind directions and strength).
Northward up the coast or southwards along the coast or drive to Mahurangi inlet or if the weather is terrible we can go to Matakana and shop.

Sunday – Martin’s Bay to Moturekareka. Lunch looking at the wreck. Return trip 4-5 hours. If the weather is terrible hot pools at Waiwera and picnic lunch there, then home.

Additonal Hazards - harbour traffic in Sandspit estuary. Open channel crossing to Kawau with possibility of tide and wind opposing causing rough conditions.

Equipment - apart from the usual kayak safety gear and camping equipment etc, for those going on the night paddle you will need a deck light (all round white light on a pole 1m above the deck) - no exceptions. Take a trolley if you have one.  You can launch and land off the beach in front of the cabins at high tide, but at any other time you have a bit of a walk across the mudflats or to the jetty, or you have to load kayak on to the car to go to/from the jetty and it is hardly worth the effort.