Swim with the fishes and rub noses with grand-daddy snapper, or walk out to the rocks looking out to Goat Island and admire them up close. You can dive, snorkel or view them easily from the rocks without getting your feet wet.
The best time to visit is in late summer (warm water and clear visibility) and when there’s less than a one metre swell.
Bring your own snorkel gear, or hire them up the road at Goat Island Diving. If you are a keen diver, they fill tanks and provide full scuba gear too.
The beach is great for swimming. Toilets are handy. Check the weather before you go. Pack a picnic and take a wander around the coastline. Don't feed the fish please, however tempting - they are happy in their marine reserve just the way they are.
After exploring the beach, head on a “goat track” around the Goat Island Marine Reserve for awesome views out to Little Barrier Island and some fresh air. Park at the marine reserve car park then head towards the Auckland University Marine Laboratory driveway, as this is where the walking track starts.
This Goat Island Walkway will lead you along the cliff top and then through farmland – follow the white markers. It may be muddy and there may be stock, so be kind to yourself and them.
The walk is about 3km and will take around 2 hours (return trip). Don’t bring your dogs because of the stock and wildlife, please. Expect an easy to moderate walk, some sections may be a bit steep or muddy. Toilets handy.
For visitor information and latest track conditions, check the DOC link.
We Reckon | What an awesome spot. Put aside the whole day, you will need it with heaps of things to do. It certainly is a magical maritime world with fish swimming all around you. It can get really busy during fine summer days, so get there early to grab a carpark! This made our hitlist of Free Things to do around Auckland.
Getting to Goat Island Reserve in Leigh | See our map for directions:
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