Rangitoto Circumnavigation from Castor Bay
Any paddler who visits Auckland will want to visit the iconic island of Rangitoto, so why not circumnavigate it? A decent day paddle giving a sense of achievement circumnavigating an iconic island.
There are many options to start your circumnavigation of Rangitoto from. Castor Bay is one of the better ones for a clockwise circumnavigation.
Quick Facts
Start / Finish - Castor Bay, Auckland 0620
Distance - 30km
Time - 5-8 hours
Difficulty - Moderate
Tides - you can only paddle through Gardiners gap about ½ an hour either side of high tide. A clockwise circumnavigation will let you have the minimal tidal flows in your direction.
Cautions - You are crossing the main shipping channel to and from Auckland port so keep a good lookout for shipping as well as a lot of recreational boaties and ferries.
Landing on the Northern shore of Rangitoto, other than at the one small beach, can be tricky should it be necessary.
Key Planning Information
Wind
Swell
Park up at Castor Bay where there are good public toilets available including a shower.
Assuming you are going to do a clockwise circumnavigation you should set off about 3 hours before high water, leaving plenty of time for the approx. 6 km crossing to Rangitoto. When you reach the island there is a small beach on which you can take a short break on before continuing round the northern coast of Rangitoto. This section is about 6 km to Gardiners Gap (Motutapu Causeway). There are good landing spots on the North side of the bridge on the Motutapu side or on either Rangitoto or Motutapu on the south side of the bridge. Note that the inlet to Gardiners gap dries out very quickly as does the short section south of the bridge, so don’t linger too long or you could have a long portage!
As an alternative stop, half way down Islington Bay there are the remains of historical fortifications, naval stores, and a slipway where you can take a break and a look around!
After a refreshment break, continue on through Islington Bay to the south side of Rangitoto. You can take another break at the Rangitoto Island Wharf Base where the ferry from downtown Auckland lands. Note that it can be a bit tricky getting in and out when the tide is in. This is where the summit track starts but you may want to leave that for a second visit!
Continue on around Rangitoto as far as you wish, and then head across the channel, aiming for anywhere from Narrow Neck Beach right up to Castor Bay. There are more options for stops on the mainland side, and if there’s a westerly wind blowing a bit more shelter.
Thanks to Steve Cooper, president of the Kiwi Association of Sea Kayakers (KASK), for providing the details and photos of this journey! KASK is an excellent organisation that represents sea kayakers in New Zeland and whose volunteers provide safety training courses for free around the country each year. Consider joining to help support other kiwis who love kayaking!
