D'Urville Island in reality.

As a kayaker, the map of D'Urville Island is a little off putting. Names like Skull Bay, Massacre Beach, The Bishop's Cauldron and Hell's Gate almost glow on the paper like a red warning light.

The island's geographical location, jutting into the Cook Strait, doesn't improve matters much. It's a piece of water known for funneling massive tides, and screaming gales between New Zealand's north and south islands. When these forces come together badly it creates seas that have sunk 9,000 tonne passenger ferries.

However, maps and reputations can only tell you so much. Sometimes the reality can be very different. Here's a few photos of the island in its mellow mode from a circumnavigation last week. Stay tuned for the accompanying story.