Goat Island Marine Reserve
Goat Island Marine Reserve
Goat Island Marine Reserve
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
339 reviews
Excellent
205
Very good
97
Average
30
Poor
5
Terrible
2
Suzy_Jutsum
Cambridge, New Zealand87 contributions
Jan 2022
This is a great place, but you need to go in good weather and when the tides are right. If the waves are too choppy the visibility in the water is terrible and you don't see much. Great place for the whole family. There are areas of shade under trees when sitting at the beach. But note on a busy day when the weather is right this place can get very busy and parking is limited so if you arrive late you can be parking your car on the side of a narrow road and walking a while.
Recommend you arrive early - 9/10am at least to get a park and a good space on the beach.
Recommend you arrive early - 9/10am at least to get a park and a good space on the beach.
Written January 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Holly K
Auckland, New Zealand18 contributions
Jan 2024 • Family
The water was magical and it was very fun to go snorkeling, we didn't see much fish when we went. We went on a long weekend, the beach itself was packed with little room for privacy. The parking there is a grade A nightmare, be prepared to park very far back and walk. I recommend going as early as possible for closer parking and a good spot to congregate as a family/group of friends on the beach.
Written February 13, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lois G
Auckland, New Zealand527 contributions
Feb 2020
Goat island is a great place for snorkelling in clear water. It gets a bit crowded, so go early before the water gets churned up. There is a glass bottom boat too which will take you around the island to see the fish closeup. Take a picnic and sit on the sand.
Written February 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Crayeater
Hamilton, New Zealand124 contributions
Nov 2020
This really is a must do, even in summer when the beach is packed! Low tide is the best time to go, take a picnic and plenty of sunscreen. If you need to hire snorkel gear it is better to stop at one of the hire places in Leigh as the one at the beach has irregular hours.
This is a free attraction that has actually improved over the years. There is much better signage about not feeding the fish and the reasons behind it. It's about 20 years since I spent a summer selling bbq sausages from a caravan there and the fish no longer approach you looking for food. The toilets and changing rooms are much better where they are now. It's a stunning place and you will see plenty of sea life close to the shore. Just do it!
This is a free attraction that has actually improved over the years. There is much better signage about not feeding the fish and the reasons behind it. It's about 20 years since I spent a summer selling bbq sausages from a caravan there and the fish no longer approach you looking for food. The toilets and changing rooms are much better where they are now. It's a stunning place and you will see plenty of sea life close to the shore. Just do it!
Written December 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tony W
Cambridge, UK445 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
Stopped off here for a mid-week morning in November. There were a few divers & snorkellers around, but overall it was very quiet. Good entertainment watch a party of school-kids having a snorkelling lesson in the sea (seems pleasantly weird to us Brits).
We wondered around the beach & walked up the lookout - which has the typical New Zealand spectacular views.
When we came back down a group had an appeared hiring out "glass" kayaks. This was a fun experience, with lots of fish clearly visible very close & underneath the kayak..
There are public toilets with showers at the car park, but no other facilities
We wondered around the beach & walked up the lookout - which has the typical New Zealand spectacular views.
When we came back down a group had an appeared hiring out "glass" kayaks. This was a fun experience, with lots of fish clearly visible very close & underneath the kayak..
There are public toilets with showers at the car park, but no other facilities
Written December 2, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The_Traveller
Portsmouth, UK166 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
Beautiful place and beach. We snorkelled there and it was absolutely wonderful (equipment can be rented right on the beach). Lots of different fish, crabs, stingrays and many more. Make sure that you are at the right time according to the tides.
Written February 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
422iana
Dunedin, New Zealand3,611 contributions
Dec 2022 • Family
Visited and camped near the beach many years ago. It is a beautiful part of the world. Took my girls snorkling for a couple of hours. Lots of fish, plankton, and a stingray. There is a tidal rip that could get poor swimmers in trouble, but with basic swimming skills you should be OK. Very clear water and a few car parks now.
Written December 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reefmom
Islamorada, FL33 contributions
Mar 2015 • Friends
We coordinated our snorkel trip to Goat Island, with a local tour guide. Having read many positive reviews on trip advisor, and hearing from our guide that this was where they always brought their children when they were young, we arrived with high expectations for an easy off the beach snorkel and crystal clear waters. First, this is not an easy beach entry. YES, it is a gradual slope to deep water, but it is VERY rocky. Add the natural ebb and flow of the ocean, large amounts of kelp, and waves... the inexperienced in our group found it to be very tricky at best. If you lost your footing on the rocks, the kelp gathered around you quickly. The added weight of the kelp proved difficult to even the most experienced in the group; ours and others. In our group of six, only two were experienced snorkelers; myself and my husband. Unfortunately for us, Goat Island had a cyclone pass two weeks earlier, and the easterly winds were still blowing. Tip Number One: If the easterly winds are blowing; this is NOT a good spot to snorkel. While at the local dive shop, to hire equipment and wet suits, we learned that the Glass Bottom Boat had cancelled for the day; due to poor visibility. Tip Number Two: Don't rely on the advice of those whose livelihood is impacted by the hiring of equipment and/or tour guides for the day. Poor Visibility is poor Visibility. We saw a total of four fish; after over an hour in the water. Tip Number Three: Large boulders surround much of Goat Island itself. Have an experienced snorkeler "test" the currents; to avoid injury from being pushed into the rocks. My husband did this for our group; affirming that the currents were strong enough to present a challenge for the less experienced members in our group. On our day, we had moderately strong currents, very poor visibility, and massive amounts of kelp. Members from our group, and others, lost equipment due to the conditions. By the end of the day, the dive shop was reporting the same difficulties; and they did not charge for any of the lost equipment. They actually consulted with me for advice, regarding areas of concern, and ended up canceling their last trip for that day. The lesson learned? Ask the right questions, and plan carefully for all members of your group. I have seen pictures, and read the positive reviews. I am sure our experience was not the norm. BEST TIP: ASK Questions, and Do NOT visit, if the easterly winds are blowing, and the glass bottom boat considers it too treacherous to go out. Definitely not a good day for beginners.
Written May 20, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
D C
Houston, TX474 contributions
May 2014 • Solo
If the weather is good and sea conditions are favorable, the snorkeling is supposed to be amazing, but it will probably be crowded because everyone else will have the same idea. On the other hand, if the weather / sea conditions are not nice, you might have the marine park to yourself, but there may not be anything to see in the water.
The first time I went to Goat Island, it was just a pit stop with a tour group and there was no time to snorkel. The weather was good and it was Easter weekend, so it was crowded.
The second time, I could snorkel as long as I wanted since I was driving myself from Whangarei to Auckland and brought my own wetsuit, fins, and mask. However, the weather was overcast and a bit rainy, and the sea was rough, so I didn't see much marine life. Of course, it was nice to have the place all to myself, and it was still fun to swim over to the island for a bit.
Tip: If you swim over to Goat Island and want to explore, bring some footwear - either in a dry bag or use scuba booties with your fins - because it's quite rocky.
The first time I went to Goat Island, it was just a pit stop with a tour group and there was no time to snorkel. The weather was good and it was Easter weekend, so it was crowded.
The second time, I could snorkel as long as I wanted since I was driving myself from Whangarei to Auckland and brought my own wetsuit, fins, and mask. However, the weather was overcast and a bit rainy, and the sea was rough, so I didn't see much marine life. Of course, it was nice to have the place all to myself, and it was still fun to swim over to the island for a bit.
Tip: If you swim over to Goat Island and want to explore, bring some footwear - either in a dry bag or use scuba booties with your fins - because it's quite rocky.
Written September 1, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
centralpinotlover
Lower Hutt, New Zealand124 contributions
Dec 2016 • Friends
Goat Island reserve is a stunning spot. I went for a shore dive there today and was astounded at the lack of fish life. I recall snorkelling there as a kid and fish everywhere... we saw a few crays, but had to hunt for them. One ray.. lots of kelp. I found a news article that said there was a decline in marine life there - what's going on? Too many people? Fishing at the edge of the reserve? Hopefully just bad luck today for us....
Written December 23, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What’s the best way to get to goat island marine reserve if we are staying in Auckland? Do we Need a rental car?
Written January 18, 2019
Rental car, drive to Warkworth, turn right at third set of lights, drive towards Matakana, keep on that road to Leigh, then a little further and turn right to Goat Island. Plenty of sign posts. Take sunscreen, a hat, and jandals.
Written January 19, 2019
Hi everyone, is it possible to dive there? Is there any diving operator to hire?
Written October 24, 2018
Yeah can dive in Goat Island and nearby beaches. Just google as have few who orgainse dive in Goat Island.
May be can check on below web link
goatislanddive/diving
leighbythesea/things-to-do-in-leigh/diving-snorkelling/
nzdiving/courses/goat-island-charter/
Written November 9, 2018
Hi There, Would just like to know if the boats are able to transfer/transport people in wheel chairs? Thank you
Written March 9, 2017
Hi Abigail
There is a glass bottom boat, from my knowledge this docks on the shore, there is no wheel chair access. As soon as you come off the road, you pretty much walking onto sand and a small stream going thru. There are small grassy areas to sit but no shade and it can get quite hot in the sun.
You could give glass bottom boats a call on +64 9 4226334
To find out more info.
Hope this helps
Cheers.
Written March 14, 2017
My family is going on a trip to NZ and want to do snorkeling here; is there life vest for non-swimmers? When we visited Hawaii snorkeling spot we lent life vests and my mom and me (who cannot swim) did very well on the shallow spots... if there's no life vest to lent, is it shallow enough for non-swimmers?
Written January 11, 2017
We'll be on a Princess Cruise, the ship docks for the day in Aukland. Any suggestions for transportation to the Goat Island Marine Reserve for snorkeling for the day?
Written January 6, 2015
Hi Eenie,
When are you arriving? We might drive you there if we are available on the day.
Written January 6, 2015
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