Celebrate 50 years of protection and join us in exploring the waters of Te Hāwere-a-maki Goat Island Marine Reserve with an experienced snorkel guide; you never know what you might spot? Since the establishment of the marine reserve in 1975 the marine life has thrived, making Te Hāwere-a-Maki Goat Island one of the top snorkel spots in Auckland!

Discover huge tāmure (snapper), red moki, eagle rays, kōura (crayfish) and more! Whilst not in the water you can learn more about your local marine and freshwater environments at our info stalls.

Safe fun for the whole whānau.

Sea conditions permitting.

Postponements via email, on website and facebook page.

This event is run in partnership with Whitebait Connection, Seaweek and the Goat Island Discovery Centre and is funded by Water Safety NZ, The Bobby Stafford-Bush Foundation and Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa.

When:

Saturday 5th April

10.30am - 3.30pm

Preregistration recommended

Beginners Group: 10.30am - 12.00pm

Intermediate/Advanced Group: 12.30pm - 2.00pm

Beginners Group: 2.00pm - 3.30pm

Snorkelling group definitions:

Beginners group - First time snorkellers, non swimmers or low confidence swimmers welcome. Suitable for 4 years and up. All children under 14 years must be accompanied by an adult in the water. Experienced guides and advanced safety procedures will be in place on the day.

Intermediate/Advanced groups - This group is for people who have snorkelled at least once or twice before, and have moderate swimming ability or above. Suitable for 5 years and up. All children under 14 years must be accompanied by an adult in the water. Experienced guides and advanced safety procedures will be in place on the day.

Where

Goat Island Marine Reserve, 150 Goat Island Road, Leigh

https://goo.gl/maps/mq31xeJ9FXpSZrh9A

We will be set up on the grassed area in front of the marine discovery centre, follow the snorkel day signs.

Weather call

A final weather call will be made the afternoon prior to the event. Postponements will be communicated via email, eventbrite, website and facebook page.

What to bring

• Bring your own snorkel gear or get free hire of our mask, snorkel, fins and wetsuits.
• Body board (we will have some to borrow but if you are less confident and have your own please bring it along)
• Hat, sunblock
• Swimsuit and towel (please arrive at the event tent already in your swimsuit)
• Plenty of drinking water (there is no drinking water at the reserve)
• Picnic lunch (optional, but a great way to extend your stay at the reserve, please make sure to pack out all your rubbish)

Donations

Experiencing Marine Reserves runs a series of free and subsidised events throughout the year - we rely on your support to make them happen. We appreciate donations, either cash/eftpos on the day, online or by giving a koha of your time volunteering at a future event.

Disclaimer

This is a free community event that relies heavily on volunteer snorkel guides. Depending on how busy we are on the day there maybe a wait time of up to a hour. If the event is super popular and we are short on snorkel guides there is a small chance we will not be able to take everyone snorkelling, however we will do our best to give everyone an amazing guided snorkel experience. Please be patient and kind with our crew and volunteers as we do our best to get everyone exploring this special reef.