Motukahaua, better known as "Happy Jacks", sits in the Motukawao Group off the western Coromandel coast. It's about a half-day sail from Westhaven, with a small south-facing anchorage, Elephant Cove, that's a treat in the right conditions.
Updated October 2026 · By the YachtShare team, Westhaven Marina
Motukahaua Island (Happy Jack Island) is a small island, about 72 m high, in the Motukawao Group. The group lies off the west coast of the Coromandel Peninsula, between Coromandel town and Colville. Motukahaua sits roughly 6 km off the peninsula.
Its neighbours include Moturua (Rabbit Island), Motuwi (Double Island) and Motukaramarama (Bush Island). The group is about 11 km north of Coromandel Harbour.
From Westhaven, head out past North Head, through the Motuihe Channel and along the north side of Waiheke Island, then cross east to the Motukawao Group. The full trip is about 32 nautical miles – about 4 hours at 8 knots.
Waiheke is on the way, so it's easy to break the trip there. See our Waiheke Island sailing guide.
Elephant Cove is the small, horseshoe-shaped bay on the south side of Motukahaua. It's best visited in settled weather or a northerly.
It's small, so there may not be room if others are already in. In a westerly, one cruising couple found wind and chop wrapping around the island into the cove and had to leave. Have a back-up plan.
You can anchor in the High Protection Area, but do it carefully. Use your sounder, avoid reef, and don't let the anchor drag.
The Motukawao Islands are Māori land. They're administered by Ngā Motu Aroha Trust on behalf of the descendants of the original owners, who represent Ngāti Hako, Ngāti Tamaterā, Ngāti Marutūāhu and Ngāti Pātukirikiri.
Public access is restricted. You need the landowners' permission before you go ashore. The trust is working to restore the islands, including controlling rats, with the aim of making them predator- and weed-free. DOC supports the project.
Since 2025 the waters around Motukahaua have been part of the Motukawao Islands High Protection Area under the Hauraki Gulf / Tīkapa Moana marine protection law. In practice that means:
Check the boundaries on DOC's maps or the MarineMate app.
Exotic caulerpa, an invasive seaweed, has been found at several places in the gulf. Area rules change, so check biosecurity.govt.nz/caulerpa before you leave.
DOC asks boaties to clean the hull, propeller, anchor and gear before heading to the Motukawao Islands. If you have permission to land, keep the islands pest-free:
Coromandel Harbour is just south of the Motukawao Group, so a night at Happy Jacks pairs well with a night in Te Kouma Harbour. It's about 11 nm from Elephant Cove to Te Kouma, about 1½ hours at 8 knots. See our Te Kouma Harbour guide.
Leave Westhaven in the morning and sail about 32 nm to Elephant Cove, about 4 hours at 8 knots. If the forecast doesn't suit the cove, stop at Waiheke instead.
Swim or snorkel, then make the short hop of about 11 nm to Te Kouma Harbour, about 1½ hours at 8 knots.
Sail back to Westhaven, about 34 nm, or about 4¼ hours at 8 knots. On a weekend, skip Day 2 and come straight home.
Happy Jacks is well within the fleet's survey limits under our Maritime NZ MOSS certification, so any of our eight yachts and catamarans can make the trip. Elephant Cove is small, so the smaller yachts, like Thin Air, Island Breeze and Mirabelle, are easiest to tuck in. For a longer trip with more crew, Schonica, Incognito, The Bach and Zen give you more room. Have a look at the fleet.
Bookings run from 1 to 14 days, so a long weekend fits easily. Find out more in How It Works and Membership Options, or browse more sailing guides.
Planning note: distances and times are approximate and based on an average of 8 knots. Always check your charts, the marine forecast and local notices, including High Protection Area boundaries and caulerpa rules, before you go.
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