Begin your tour by meeting the team at the Goat Island Dive and Snorkel Center. Here, your friendly staff will get you kitted up with a mask, snorkel, fins, and a wetsuit. You will then drive in your own vehicle 2 miles (3km) to the Goat Island Marine Reserve, where you will meet with your snorkel instructor. Learn about the history of Goat Island and the marine life you are likely to meet at New Zealand's first marine reserve. The experience starts with an introduction to using the equipment and some snorkeling and swimming techniques. Before jumping in you'll receive a full, thorough safety briefing. Everyone will make their way to the water.  The group will stay in shallow waters while getting used to the equipment and the strange sensation of breathing while looking around underwater. Once everyone is feeling confident and comfortable, the group will make their way out to sea to continue the adventure. After the tour, you will be able to use the equipment for the remainder of the day to carry on exploring at your own pace. You will be part of a natural aquarium, with many varieties of colorful fish and marine life including Blue Maomao, Snapper, Eagle and Sting Rays, Blue Cod, Octopus, Kahawai, as well as Crayfish. Sometimes Dolphins or Orca visit the reserve and will often play with the snorkelers.

Experience the perfect way to try diving for the first time on a half-day trip from Lehin to Goat Island. Learn the basics of diving with expert instructors, practice breathing and diving techniques, and set off to discover a beautiful underwater world. Begin with a class theory lesson where you will learn about the equipment and safety of diving and get fitted into your gear. Once at the dive site, do a final check with your instructor who will make sure you're feeling ready for the dive. In shallow water, learn how to breathe and how to use the equipment. Become comfortable with safety skills before heading to deeper water to explore the colorful marine life and unique seascapes.

Rakino Island 12:00-14:00 (catch the 10:45 and 16:30 ferries) Tiritiri Matangi island 10:30-12:30 (catch the 10:00 and 14:40 ferries) Optional Nature Walk Group bookings only Discover Auckland's captivating underwater realm with Guided Snorkeling Tours. Led by expert guides, these tours offer a safe, educational, and thrilling adventure. Safety is paramount, especially for beginners. Our trained guides prioritize your well-being, providing thorough safety briefings, equipment guidance, and continuous support to ensure a comfortable and enriching snorkeling experience. Beyond safety, guided snorkel experiences offer a marine education led by expert guides. Many are marine biologists or naturalists, imparting deep insights into local marine life and ecosystems. Beginners benefit greatly from their knowledge, as guides identify and explain marine species, coral formations, and underwater wonders in Auckland's snorkeling spots. This educational dimension enriches your Auckland snorkel tour, fostering a deeper appreciation of the marine world. Explore the finest Auckland snorkeling spots with Guided Snorkeling Tours. Carefully chosen for water clarity, marine diversity, and accessibility, these island guided snorkel experiences are led by knowledgeable guides. Auckland's coastal waters teem with marine life, offering glimpses of colorful fish, vibrant coral reefs, graceful rays, and occasional dolphins or seals. Dive into this hidden world for a unique and unforgettable Auckland snorkeling adventure. Unlock hidden underwater gems through guided snorkeling tours in Auckland. The region's offshore islands boast secluded bays, marine reserves, and underwater caves, often hard to find alone. Guided tours provide insider knowledge, revealing secret spots and lesser-known attractions. These tours cultivate environmental consciousness. Guides stress marine ecosystem preservation, sharing insights into challenges and actions for positive impact. Education and firsthand encounters foster deep appreciation for the underwater world's fragility and beauty, enriching the snorkeling experience. Guided snorkeling tours accommodate all skill levels, from beginners to experts. Guides offer instruction and support for newcomers, fostering water confidence. Experienced snorkelers can enjoy advanced tours, exploring deeper waters and challenging sites. Itinerary: Ferry - Catch the ferry to your island destination Meet the SNM snorkle team - Introductions, clothing and gear check, health and safety Snorkeling - Up to 2 hours of snorkelling, diving, exploration and education Dry, change, eat and drink Ferry - catch the ferry back

Join a guided diving tour for certified divers around Goat Island and set off to discover the beautiful underwater world of New Zealand's first ever marine reserve alongside an experienced dive master. Begin with a fitting of your diving equipment at the dive center. You will then drive in your own vehicle 3 km to the Goat Island Marine Reserve to meet with your dive master who will be your guide for the day. Learn the history of Goat Island and get introduced to the marine life you are likely to see in New Zealand's first marine reserve. After a full and thorough safety briefing, head down to the water and begin the tour. Do one long dive in a shallow reserve with the opportunity to stay underwater for 70 to 80 minutes, dependent on individuals' air consumption. Explore further out into the bay and see the true beauty this magical place has to offer. Swim amongst huge snappers, red moki, goat-fish, triple fins, and schools of parore, kahawai, sweep, silver drummers, trevally. There are also crayfish, octopuses, stingrays, and, on lucky occasions, dolphins, seals, and orcas can also be seen.

Jacques Cousteau has named this little slice of paradise one of the top diving and snorkeling spots in the world. With some of the best underwater scenery, breathtaking natural landscapes, an abundance of marine life, the world's largest sea cave, sea birds everywhere, unique flora, rich history, great food, kayaking, and time to relax onboard a comfortable boat, this marine reserve trip is one you don't want to miss.  Begin the tour with a pickup from your hotel in Auckland and head to the stunning Tutukaka Coast. Along the way, you'll be treated with amazing views of New Zealand's east coast beaches, mountains, and forests before arriving at the Tutukaka Marina where your water journey will begin. Board a spacious boat called "Perfect Day", with plenty of indoor and outdoor space and all the equipment you need for snorkeling, kayaking, and paddleboarding. Set sail 14 miles off the shore on an open-ocean trip to the Poor Knights Islands, encountering plenty of marine life on the way. Once on the island, your hosts will take you on a tour to show you the splendor of the region, which includes a drive right inside the world's largest sea cave. After the tour, try your hand at the water sports offered onboard. Kayak around arches or paddleboard into caves to see this world-class natural scenery first-hand. After some exploring, savor a delicious buffet lunch with tea and coffee before taking some time to sunbathe on the boat. Finally, it'll be time to head back to shore. Once back at the port, your friendly guide will take you to your local accommodation or transfer you back to Auckland with a few surprise stops on the way — the best way to complete this perfect day.

Join a full-day scuba dive charter and dive in the beautiful marine reserves of Goat Island or Te Hāwere-a-Maki, New Zealand's first marine reserve established in 1975, on a small-group tour. Discover the bustling marine life beneath the water's surface, including jack mackerel, crayfish, red moki, eels, blue maomao, and much more on two dives at different depths.  Marvel at the variety of marine life habitats from rocky shores exposed at low tide to deep reefs, underwater cliffs and canyons, as well as sand flats. Watch the seaweed forests sway with the waves and the light playfully touch all that surrounds you beneath the sea. Goat Island and the Tawharanui Marine Reserve, off the North Island's northwest coast, are both excellent sites for certified divers, whether you are a beginner or an experienced diver, there is something for everyone here.