Child friendly rating: 5 stars

Distance: 5-7km by water

Signposted time: 1 hour for an adult paddling solo

Bookings Required? Yes

Suitable in Winter? Yes

Camping Available? No

4wd required? No

Parking:

For the main access, park at the Duncan Bay jetty. At the end of Duncan Bay Road. Launch your packraft/kayak from here.

You can also launch from Penzance Bay, at the start of Kamahi Road. This way is the shortest way.

Yet another option would be to launch at Elaine Bay.

If going by motorised boat, you can also launch at Havelock.

The Track:

There are no tracks to this hut - you need to come in via boat.

From Penzance Bay it is approx. 5km to the hut.

From Duncan or Elaine Bay it's 7km.

If you've got adults paddling with the kids on board it shouldn't take too much longer than 1hr, unless you have stops along the way. There unfortunately aren't many good places to stop along the way though, so bear this in mind.

When you're on the final approach to the hut, especially at high tide, you'll have to be very careful if you're in any form of inflatable. The beach is very rocky with sharp shells and you will need some form of water shoes as walking on the beach without them is near impossible. I would get out of the packraft / kayak when you're in knee deep water and then carry it the rest of the way if you're in an inflatable.

At low tide you'll be in deeper water longer, but at high tide you go over the flats for a while before reaching the hut.

Hut:

The hut is a basic 6-bunker with individual bunks. Water tank outside.

In a high tide, the water will occasionally come under the hut - hence the boardwalks.

Because of the gradual angle of the beach, swimming is better at low tide when you can get to the deeper water easier.

Recommendations:

100% make sure you don't forget your beach shoes like crocs.

This is a beautiful spot to paddle out to on a nice day. There aren't many paddle to huts with kid-friendly access in the country so this is a great option. Kids will enjoy the break from walking.