DISCOVER NEW ZEALAND’S MARINE WILDLIFE
LOOK, LEARN, PLAY & EXPLORE NEW ZEALAND’S FIRST MARINE RESERVE
Located in Leigh, north of Auckland, our Glass Bottom Boat operation provides a fun and educational adventure for guests of all ages. During this 45-minute eco-tour, you will see the fish, fauna, marine life, and birds that thrive in this protected reserve, as well as the mysterious caves and sea-battered rocky cliffs of Goat Island.
Our direct boarding from the beach allows guests to stay dry throughout the entire journey – making it a perfect activity during most of the year.
For our visitors keen to have a closer look at the Reserve’s marine life, we have kayaks and snorkel gear available for hire on the beach. The Kayak & Snorkel Hire operates seasonally during the warmer months.
EXPLORE THE RESERVE
Goat Island Marine Reserve is a tranquil escape, with dark, sandy, and rocky beaches, thriving marine life, and lush fauna.
Established in 1975 as New Zealand’s first marine reserve, Goat Island is a protected area, which has allowed sea life and fauna to recover and flourish. As a “no-take” zone, fishing is prohibited, as is taking any items from the beach or sea.
Part of our mission as an eco-tour is education – teaching the importance of preservation in these fragile ecosystems.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT TO SEE?
As an open reserve – meaning there are no barricades keeping marine life in or out of the Reserve – the species we encounter change daily.
Weather and sea conditions also affect the movements of marine life through the reserve – you never know what you will see!
Fish living in the reserve include snapper, blue maomao, parore, red moki, goatfish, leather jackets, sweep, blue cod, spotties, kelpfish, marble fish, eagle rays, and stingrays. Sometimes we even see dolphins, orca, whales, seals, and sharks!
Other marine life includes kina, turban shells, kelp, seaweeds, mosses, lichens, sponges, and anemones. Birds include pied shags, red-billed and Dominican seagulls, little blue penguins, reef herons, terns, gannets, and petrels.