To get to Goat Island from Auckland, follow SH1 to Warkworth, and then follow the large brown Goat Island Marine Reserve signs from Matakana through to Leigh and then onto Goat Island. Check out Travel time on Google Maps.

There are no food outlets at Goat Island, however there are plenty of places to eat in Leigh and Matakana- ask the staff for their recommendations!

No. There is no ferry to Goat Island. Goat Island is a small island around 60 meters from the mainland.

No. It is a Marine Reserve so dogs are strictly prohibited both on the beach and in the picnic areas. Please leave your dog at home!

Yes. There are both toilets and outdoor beach showers (no hot water) facilities at the reserve. There is no drinking water, and there are no BBQ´s- however there are picnic tables where you can enjoy your lunch.

There are 2 carparks available for you to park your car at the reserve. Please refer to the carpark map here.

A marine reserve is a type of marine protected area. In a marine reserve, the collection, removal, feeding and killing of any marine life is prohibited- including shells or sea urchins. Goat Island was the first marine reserve in the world- where everything from the fish down to the grains of sand are protected!

Snapper! Goat Island is known for its very big and friendly snapper. Other species of fish you´re likely to see while you´re in the water are: sweep, leatherjacket, travelly, piper, silver drummer, kahawai, red moki, goatfish, spottys and hiwihiwi (kelpfish). You may also see eagle rays, stingrays and octopus!

No you don’t! There are variety of activities to do at Goat Island, like the Goat Island walkway, rock pools and the Marine Discovery Centre. Come talk to our friendly staff in the shop for more information.

No. You will need your own transport. We recommend hiring a car for the day and enjoying the other incredible sights while you are up here.

Bookings are essential for the tours, otherwise we cannot guarantee availability.

Sunscreen (we prefer reef-safe - you can buy this in store), your swimming costume, a towel, your driving license/ ID, drinking water, a packed lunch. if you are booked on a dive charter you will need to bring with you your dive certification.

Yes this is available on special request. Please contact us so that we can arrange a tour to suit your needs

As we are a seasonal business, our operating hours do change. Please click here to view our current operating hours.

You can book a tour online, over the phone or in store. However we recommend you book either online or over the phone as we cannot guarantee availability if you book on the day.

Yes we are, however are closed on Christmas Day (25th December).

Yes. To hire our gear, children need to be a minimum of 2 years old. For our beginner snorkelling tours children need to be 8 years old- children aged under 12 need to be accompanied by an adult. For our advanced snorkelling tours, children need to be 10 years and older- children aged under 12 need to be accompanied by an adult. For our try dives, children need to be aged 10 years and older, with under 12´s accompanied by an adult.

No, but it is recommended that you do- especially in summer, as we cannot guarantee availability. One of the benefits of booking your gear online prior to your visit to the reserve is that we will contact you to reschedule if the weather is poor.

Gear hire is for the full day, until 5pm. There is an after-hours option available for a small additional fee- you can talk to our staff about this in-store or you can check this option when booking online.

Yes you can! You can book your gear hire online or in store, however we recommend booking online prior to your visit as we cannot guarantee gear availability.

We have prescription masks available for hire- please contact us so that we can discuss your needs. if you know your prescription you can also select it as an extra when you book in so the correct mask will be waiting for you.

If you’re not confident in the water or if you’ve never been in the ocean before, we recommend you book onto our beginner guided snorkel. Our friendly guides will teach you how to be comfortable in the water at a comfortable pace.

We recommend you to book onto our advanced snorkel tours, where we will introduce you to freediving skills that will allow you to experience the underwater world with even more confidence.

All equipment needed for snorkelling is provided in the Guided Snorkel Tour. This includes your mask & snorkel, fins and wetsuit.

Snorkeling is when we use a mask to see and a tube called a snorkel to breathe with our face in the water. This allows us to observe the marine world and the life it contains while becoming more confident swimming in the ocean.

Absolutely! If you feel uncomfortable about diving or snorkelling while on your period, you are more than welcome to talk to our female instructors about this and they will ensure you´re comfortable prior to you getting in the water. We would recommend either using period-proof swimwear, tampons, or a menstral cup.

Please allow 2.5 hours for our snorkel tours (both beginner and advanced) as this time includes, getting your gear, our briefings and time spent in the water. We usually spend an hour in the water.

Snorkeling Safety: What You Need to Know. Environmental Conditions: Snorkeling can be affected by water currents, weather, and wave height, which may increase fatigue or risk of being swept further than expected. Physical Demands: Snorkeling requires basic swimming skills and can be physically taxing, in wavy or windy conditions this can be increased. Marine Life Encounters: While Goat Island is home to diverse marine life, animals should be respected and left undisturbed to avoid accidental harm. Sun Exposure and Hydration: Prolonged exposure to sun and saltwater can lead to dehydration or sunburn. We encourage regular hydration and the use of reef-safe sunscreen. Risk of drowning:While snorkeling is generally safe when proper precautions are followed, it’s essential to remember that any water activity carries a risk of drowning. Factors such as fatigue, poor swimming skills, unfamiliarity with equipment, or sudden changes in weather can increase this risk.

We recommend you book our Try Scuba Diving Experience. It´s a half day try dive experience at Goat Island Marine Reserve. We will teach you how to use the equipment and how to stay safe underwater, while also enjoying the magic of the marine reserve!

Please allow half a day for this activity. This allows enough time for getting your gear, our briefings and time spent in the water. Because it´s a shallow water dive, your dive may last up to 80mins- depending on your air consumption!

You must be able to swim at a medium level and feel confident in the ocean to be able to scuba dive. You must also be medically fit to dive

Diving Safety: Key Information for Your Adventure. Depth and Pressure: Diving involves depth changes that increase pressure on the body. Following dive protocols and guidance from instructors minimizes the risks of barotrauma or decompression sickness. Skill and Experience Requirements: Certain dives require advanced skills. We ensure divers are matched with sites suited to their experience level. Navigation and Environment: Underwater conditions like currents and visibility can change. Following guides and staying close to the group reduces the risk of disorientation. Equipment Handling: Proper use of equipment, especially breathing apparatus, is essential. Our instructors will provide a thorough briefing and equipment check. Drowning:While diving is generally safe when proper precautions and training are followed, it’s essential to remember that it involves inherent risks, including drowning. Factors such as fatigue, poor buoyancy control, improper handling of equipment, or unexpected changes in underwater conditions can increase this risk.