AucklandGoat Island Marine Reserve
Leigh, north of Auckland
New Zealand's first marine reserve, created in 1975. DOC says it offers some of the best snorkelling close to Auckland, with abundant, friendly fish.
Beginner-friendly
Explore · Snorkelling
Best Snorkelling Spots in New Zealand
Photo: “Goat Island” by Korkut Tas, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
New Zealand's marine reserves are the best places to put your face in the water. Fish are more abundant and less wary where nothing can be taken. These guides cover the top spots, what you might see, and how to snorkel safely in cool, open water.
Snorkelling destinations
Browse by island or region, then open a guide for conditions, access and local operators.
Auckland
NorthlandPoor Knights Islands
Off the Tutukaka Coast, Northland
Volcanic islands riddled with caves, arches and sheer walls. The marine reserve was created in 1981 and fully protected since 1998, and is reached by boat.
Beginner-friendlyIntermediate
CoromandelGemstone Bay
Hahei, Coromandel Peninsula
A small boulder beach in Te Whanganui-o-Hei Marine Reserve with a marked snorkel trail: buoys carry information panels and handles to hold.
Beginner-friendly
Map of snorkelling destinations
Pins show the general area of each destination, not exact access points or parking. Every destination is also listed above.
Location data: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0).
Why snorkel in a marine reserve?
New Zealand has 44 marine reserves, from the Kermadec Islands to the Subantarctic Islands. They're no-take areas: no fishing, no taking or damaging marine life, and no removing shells or rocks. Fish are often more abundant and approachable inside reserves. DOC describes the fish at Goat Island as "abundant and friendly".
All three of our featured spots are marine reserves. Read the marine reserve rules before you go.
Beginner-friendly snorkelling
- Goat Island: Snorkel straight from the beach, but only on calm days. DOC advises staying out when east or north-east winds are over 20 knots or swells are over a metre.
- Gemstone Bay: A marked snorkel trail in water up to about 10 m deep, with buoys to hold onto.
- Poor Knights Islands: You snorkel from a guided boat trip, with the equipment provided.
New to snorkelling? Start with our beginner's guide.
Marine life you may see
What you see changes with the season and conditions, so treat these as possibilities, not promises:
- Goat Island: seaweed forests, sponge gardens and rocky-shore creatures, according to DOC.
- Gemstone Bay: tāmure (snapper), āhuruhuru (goatfish), paketi (spotties), kōura (crayfish) and kina (urchins).
- Poor Knights: caves, arches, sponge gardens and gorgonian fans. DOC says stingrays cruise the archways in the warmer months.
Water temperature and what to wear
New Zealand water is cool, even in summer. At the Poor Knights, Dive! Tutukaka puts the warmest water at 20–23 °C (December–March). A wetsuit keeps you warm and adds buoyancy. The Friends of Te Whanganui-o-Hei suggest bringing a mask, snorkel, wetsuit and "extra floaty things" for Gemstone Bay.
Guided trips and gear hire
- Goat Island Dive & Snorkel runs guided snorkel tours, boat trips and gear hire. It's seasonal, so check the opening dates.
- Dive! Tutukaka runs snorkel and dive trips to the Poor Knights from Tutukaka Marina, with all equipment provided.
We're not paid to list these operators.
Safety
- Check the forecast, and stay out of the water if the wind or swell is up.
- Snorkel with a buddy, and stay within your ability. People have died at Goat Island.
- Use flotation if you're not a confident swimmer, and rest on buoys where they're provided.
- Watch for boats. In New Zealand, boats must slow to 5 knots within 200 m of the shore or of a boat flying a dive flag, and within 50 m of a swimmer.
- In an emergency, call 111.
Help protect the reserves
- Look, don't touch, and never feed fish.
- Clean your gear between sites to stop marine pests such as exotic caulerpa from spreading.
- Report poaching to 0800 4 POACHER (0800 476 224) or 0800 DOCHOT (0800 362 468).
Snorkelling tips & guides
Frequently asked questions
Where can I go snorkelling near Auckland?
Goat Island (Cape Rodney-Okakari Point Marine Reserve) near Leigh is about an hour and a half's drive north of Auckland. DOC says it offers some of the best snorkelling close to the city. Only go in when it's calm.
Is there a snorkel trail in New Zealand?
Yes. Waimata/Gemstone Bay in the Te Whanganui-o-Hei Marine Reserve near Hahei has marker buoys with information panels about the sea life below, and handles you can hold while you rest.
Can I feed the fish in a marine reserve?
No. DOC prohibits feeding fish in marine reserves because it disturbs their natural behaviour. You also can't take or disturb any marine life, shells or rocks.
Can beginners snorkel at the Poor Knights Islands?
Yes, on a guided boat trip. Operators such as Dive! Tutukaka provide snorkelling gear, but you'll be swimming in open water off a boat, so you should be comfortable in the sea.
Do I need a wetsuit for snorkelling in New Zealand?
A wetsuit is strongly recommended. It keeps you warm and adds buoyancy. Even at the subtropical Poor Knights, the water is about 20–23 °C at its warmest in summer.