Goat Island Marine Reserve is approximately a one-hour drive from the North Shore of Auckland. Goat Island is renowned in Auckland as a snorkelling paradise due to its clear and abundant marine life. It’s also the only place in Auckland where you can paddle a Clear Kayak (Clearyak)!
Popular things to do at Goat Island Marine Reserve
Clear Kayak
The bottom of the boat is transparent, and with the incredibly clear water, you can see various marine life on the seabed vividly. We encountered a very large snapper, which, due to ecological protection, was very friendly and circled our boat.
We also saw many other species of fish! Highly recommend bringing waterproof photography equipment and a drone for great shots.
Clear Kayak can be booked online, operating from 10 am to 4 pm. On the day we went, only two groups were kayaking, and if it’s not the weekend, you can probably book on-site.
Kayaking is weather-dependent; it can be dangerous with strong winds or bad weather, and staff will notify you to reschedule.
The service point is right on the beach, and you’ll see the transparent kayaks floating on the water when you arrive.
Each small boat accommodates two people, and the charges are time-based. 30 minutes $70, one hour $120, 90 minutes $180, two hours $240.
It’s recommended to wear sun-protective clothing and shorts that you don’t mind getting wet. We started kayaking at 10 am, and by 10:30 am, the sun was strong. A companion who didn’t wear sun-protective clothing ended up with sunburned arms, and there was a lot of water splashing onto the seats.
It’s beginner-friendly, kayaking is not difficult, but it requires two people to maintain balance; otherwise, the boat will sway. For a more immersive experience, it’s recommended to go for at least an hour.
Snorkeling Tour
Goat Island Dive and Snorkel requires online booking. Tours are available around 10 am and 2 pm. Beginners can choose the ‘beginner’ option, while those with snorkelling or swimming experience can go for advanced.
$75 per person, including all equipment rental and a guide. If you prefer to snorkel on your own without guidance, you can rent equipment only. Friendly for those with prescription glasses; you can upgrade to a prescription mask. On-site, you can also rent a GoPro and a waterproof phone case (it’s better to bring your own!).
You need to arrive 15 minutes early at the rental point, get your diving suit, fins, and snorkel, and then drive to the beach on your own. If the equipment size is not suitable, be sure to change it; otherwise, snorkelling will be a crazy water adventure.
When you arrive at the beach parking lot, an instructor will explain how to use the equipment and some precautions, and then you’ll enter the water. There might not be as many fish as in the promotional pictures, but you can still see a variety of fish species. As it was our first snorkelling experience, the overall experience was truly fantastic.
