DISCOVER GOAT ISLAND

Excellent snorkelling conditions

2012-01-20T22:58:00.000-08:00

It's been a good month for snorkelling and diving - off and on. No stingers seen at all, just loads of chain salps which are absolutely harmless. We've taken plenty of people out on a guided snorkelling experience and water is warm on these sunny days - around 20degC.
Book early for your snorkelling experience as numbers are limited each day. If you've never tried, then now is the time! Look forward to seeing you at Goat Island.

NZ HERALD FEATURE

2012-01-17T13:57:00.001-08:00

Dionne Christian featured a range of water sports including snorkelling at Goat Island with Jenny. Read all about it at the link below.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10777122

January 2012

2012-01-03T10:29:00.000-08:00

Welcome to 2012. This is the year that you can learn to snorkel at the Goat Island Marine Reserve, just north of Auckland City. The PADI Guided Snorkelling Experience is scheduled everyday at 10.30am, weather and sea conditions permitting. Book now by calling Goat Island Dive on 0800 348 369. All snorkelling equipment is supplied and included in the cost.

December 2011

2011-12-14T21:52:00.000-08:00

Conditions at Goat Island had improved with calm, clear water and we were busy taking lots of snorkellers out again. But then the rain came. However it now looks like clearing early in the New Year. Water has warmed a little and sun will shine again soon! Be prepared and book your snorkelling experience.
Pohutukawa trees flowering all around the coast and looking very beautiful.

November 2011

2011-11-07T11:55:00.000-08:00

Carl and Aly Wilson

We have guided lots of people on a Snorkelling Experience at Goat Island.
November 17th we took 24 international students snorkelling in beautiful conditions at Goat Island. Many had never snorkelled before but learnt very quickly. www.discovergoatisland.co.nz
Have also had quite a few visitors staying in our bed and breakfast room - lovely couples from Scotland, Ireland, Italy as well as from Auckland.
November 29th and Tony snorkelled with 5 very playful bottlenose dolphins, close to the beach at Goat Island.

October 2011

2011-10-06T11:30:00.000-07:00

October 21st Jenny guided 2 people out snorkelling and had 4 bottlenose dolphins - awesome! October 20th Tony took Katie and Sophie snorkelling. They also had some great little digital waterproof cameras purchased from Goat Island Dive and Snorkel, to record the event. Well done girls and what a perfect day! Brancott Estate were the sponsors. October 7th Jenny took 2 snorkellers out and were accompanied by 2 bottlenose dolphins. Summer is definitely on its way and water warming up. Learn how to snorkel. www.discovergoatisland.co.nz

September 2011

2011-09-26T20:15:00.001-07:00

Tony guided these lovely Irish girls, teaching them to snorkel at Goat Island.There were lots of eagle rays around as the orca had visited that morning. We also guided 4 Indian men snorkelling at Goat Island. Good sea conditions and starting to warm up. Plenty of fishes around as usual. A great experience for these visitors who were new to snorkelling. More information on www.discovergoatisland.co.nz

Snorkelling Experience

2011-07-19T19:56:00.000-07:00

PADI Snorkelling experiences will be starting again in September. Price includes all snorkelling equipment hire, experienced guide, PADI certificate and Fish ID card. We will teach you to snorkel and guide you over the best rocky reefs at the Goat Island Marine Reserve. Bookings are essential and depends on having good sea and weather conditions. (minimum of 2 people needed).
SCHOOL GROUPS of 20 or more students are offered a special price which includes all snorkelling equipment, experienced guides, safety boards and Fish ID cards.

Onehunga High School

2011-05-24T03:06:00.000-07:00

Fifteen students and two teachers came snorkelling at Goat Island. Lovely, calm and sunny and the best day for a while. Clear water and plenty of fish to see including eagle rays. Water now around 18 degC - not bad for May!

Rosehill Intermediate School

2011-04-11T01:46:00.000-07:00

After several postponements because of the weather, Rosehill students ended up with a beautiful day at Goat Island to go snorkelling. April and the water temperature is still 20degC. It was also warm and clear. Lots of snapper, leatherjackets, mackerel, red moki and even a giant boarfish. Summer is not over and there is still time to Discover Goat Island.

Mission Heights Junior College

2011-04-01T14:29:00.000-07:00

After several postponements students from Mission Heights finally came snorkelling with us at Goat Island. Water was calm and clear and a lovely warm 20degC. Fish life was good with snapper, bluecod, piper, eaglerays, goatfish, spotties and much more seen. Many students snorkelled for the first time every and did extremely well.

Manurewa Central School

2011-03-13T11:50:00.000-07:00

Very nice conditions for guiding students from Manurewa Central School at Goat Island on March 11th. We saw the usual snapper, trevally, leatherjackets, red moki, blue maomao, sweep, eagle rays plus much more. Contact us if you want to bring your school snorkelling www.discovergoatisland.co.nz

Perfect snorkelling conditions!

2011-03-10T10:35:00.000-08:00

This could be you! The conditions at Goat Island have been perfect for snorkelling. Calm, clear water, plenty of fish, loads of sunshine and good tides. See you at the beach!
If you have never snorkelled before or if you can't swim book onto a Guided Snorkelling Experience by phoning Goat Island Dive on 0800 348 369.

Stanley Bay Primary School

2011-02-28T19:20:00.000-08:00

For the third year in a row we have guided students from Stanley Bay in the marine reserve. Sea conditions were great, sun was shining and visibility improved as the day went on. Students saw big snapper, piper, eaglerays, goatfish, blue maomao and lots more fish. They also discovered the animals living on the rocky shore including crabs, kina, seaweed, chitons and limpets.

PADI SNORKELLING CERTIFICATE

2011-02-19T20:39:00.000-08:00

Tony and Jenny Enderby take snorkelling courses at Goat Island, every day weather permitting. No experience is necessary. You are taught how to snorkel and can gain a PADI snorkeling certificate plus receive a free fish ID guide. Bookings are essential and can be done by phoning Goat Island Dive on 0800 348 369 to book. A minimum of 2 people are required. A special rate is applicable for schools and groups over 20.

Scout Venturers

2011-02-19T20:32:00.000-08:00

We guided a group of scout venturers at Goat Island where conditions were the best for the past few weeks. Very dirty water close in, but once out further it was like a curtain had been lifted and the visibility improved dramatically! Numerous snapper, blue maomao, sweep, silver drummer, leatherjackets and much more all around. Hundreds of very small jellyfish coming through the current down the channel. Wetsuits mostly protected us from their minute stinging tentacles. Water very warm and calm! All gained their PADI snorkelling certificate.

Pinehurst School

2011-02-19T20:27:00.000-08:00

Students from Pinehurst School, Albany snorkelled with us at Goat Island and achieved their PADI snorkelling certificate. We saw plenty of fish life including snapper, blue maomao, rays, parore, kelpfish and spotties. After lunch we explored Echinoderm rocky reef at low tide where we saw octopus, trumpet shells, crabs, shield shells, kina and much more.

Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Te Kura Kokiri

2011-02-01T00:05:00.000-08:00

We took students from Te Kura Kokiri in Tauranga snorkelling at Goat Island late on February 1st. Visibility now improved after storm and nice and calm. Plenty of snapper, parore and goatfish to see. The students were all very good snorkellers and thoroughly enjoyed the break in their journey north. They all sang a song about Poi afterwards.

Summer Snorkelling Courses

2011-01-04T19:38:00.000-08:00

Over summer, snorkelling courses are being run (weather permitting) at Goat Island. Bookings are essential. If you haven't tried it yet, why not have a go?
Tony & Jenny Enderby are Goat Island's most experienced snorkel guides and their priority is to keep you safe while teaching you how to snorkel. No experience is necessary. At the end of your course you will gain a PADI snorkelling certificate. Meet at the Goat Island Dive Shop in Leigh at 11am where you will receive your equipment - wetsuit, mask, snorkel and fins. Then it's off to the beach to learn to snorkel safely while enjoying seeing fish in a natural environment. The activity takes around 2 hours (up to an hour in the water). CONTACT US ABOUT OUR SPECIAL PRICE FOR SCHOOL GROUPS. Phone Goat Island Dive now on 0800 348 369 to book onto a snorkelling course.

Rosehill Intermediate School

2010-12-02T10:20:00.000-08:00

A visit to Echinoderm Reef with 15 students was successful with finds of sea hares, clown nudibranchs, crabs, flatworms and much more. Then off we went snorkelling, but unfortunately the swell had risen and reduced visibility.

Te Hihi School

2010-12-01T17:49:00.000-08:00

December 1st we took students from Te Hihi School snorkelling. Visibility was really good and sea conditions calm. The students were very good snorkellers. We saw plenty of jellyfish, snapper, drummer, leatherjackets and so much more.

Otamarakau School

2010-11-29T21:53:00.000-08:00

November 30th a lovely group of students from Otamarakau School came snorkelling with us. Perfect sea conditions with clear, calm water and sunshine. Lots of non-stinging jellyfish floating everywhere. Fed on by leatherjackets and some snapper. Saw one eagle ray.

Birkdale Intermediate School

2010-11-22T10:14:00.000-08:00

Students visited the Goat Island Marine Reserve on November 22nd. They met at Goat Island Dive for their snorkelling equipment. Discover Goat Island instructors, Tony and Jenny Enderby then took them snorkelling. Good calm sea conditions and nice clear water. It was a thrill for everyone when a small pod of bottlenose dolphins came through the reserve.Discover Goat Island.

Singapore group

2010-11-22T10:11:00.000-08:00

Saturday November 20th 45 students from Singapore visited Goat Island where they took a trip on the glass bottom boat. We then showed them the marine life on the rocky shore and after lunch they did transects on Echinoderm Reef. The weather wasn't looking good but turned out beautiful. Discover Goat Island

Whangaparaoa College

2010-11-17T20:05:00.000-08:00

Calm seas and good underwater visibility for snorkelling at Goat Island today. Not much sun though. Huge numbers of snapper seen, plus parore, goatfish, red moki and marblefish. Some very big crayfish around Shag Rock. The students were guided by Discover Goat Island As usual we met up at the Goat Island Dive shop, next to the Sawmill Cafe in Leigh, to collect the snorkelling equipment.

Birkdale Primary School

2010-11-16T20:16:00.001-08:00

A perfect day for snorkelling in the Goat Island Marine Reserve. Students saw snapper, red moki, eaglerays, goatfish, blue maomao, parore and more. Calm, clear and sunny conditions. Some awesome parents accompanied us in the water! The juniors visited the rocky shore where they were guided by a biologist. They saw sea hares, nudibranchs, crabs, kina, seastars and a variety of other marine life.

Kaiaua School

2010-11-10T20:52:00.000-08:00

Another perfect day to bring a school group snorkelling at Goat Island. Calm, clear water and plenty of fish to see. One very large jellyfish, but we stayed away from it! Large snapper and red moki, plus the usual other fish.

Rotorua Students

2010-10-04T23:50:00.000-07:00

October 3rd was calm and clear at Goat Island and we had the pleasure of showing six nice teenage girls how to snorkel. We saw plenty of fish and some big eagle rays. Everyone stayed warm with the sun shining down over us.

Mt Albert Grammar School

2010-04-24T12:51:00.000-07:00

The first week of the 2nd term turned out great weather at Goat Island with water temperature around 19-20 deg. We took 35 students snorkelling where they practised their skills in a natural environment. Fish included red moki, leatherjackets, snapper, bluecod, blue maomao, butterfish and more. Nice to have such perfect conditions for the 16-17 years old to enjoy the marine reserve.

Massey High School

2010-03-18T19:56:00.000-07:00

A small group of students from Massey High School visited Leigh and came snorkelling with Discover Goat Island guides Tony and Jenny Enderby. The group snorkelled out past Shag Rock and alongside the island where they saw snapper, red moki, hiwihiwi, sweep, eaglerays and much more. A most successful day for all.

Northcote Intermediate School

2010-03-18T16:32:00.000-07:00

Over 8 days Discover Goat Island guides, Tony and Jenny Enderby, took around 200 students snorkelling at Tawharanui. Each day a class arrived, put up tents and did three activities: snorkelling, kayaking and beach games. Most days there was too much swell to safety snorkel off the main beach, so the students were taken to the alternative beach on the other side of the peninsula to snorkel at Jones Beach.
There were little spotties, snapper, goatfish, eagleray and piper. Many students also saw octopus, squid, live trumpet shells, live scallops, anemones, sea urchins, seaweed and other marine life.
It was noted that the students were extremely helpful towards each other and were a pleasure to take out.

Cottey College

2010-03-18T15:55:00.000-07:00

A small group of students and 2 professors were taken snorkelling in the Goat Island Marine Reserve by experienced guides, Tony and Jenny Enderby of Discover Goat Island. The students were from Cottey College which is based in Nevada, Missouri, USA. After the snorkelling Tony and Jenny talked about the creation of the marine reserve and changes over the past 35 years there. Changes include the marine life as well as the local community and businesses in the area.
When the marine reserve was created it was thought that no-one would come to Goat Island as they weren't allowed to catch fish or collect anything. Once the fish returned and stayed, scuba divers were drawn to the reserve and gradually word filtered out and more and more visitors came. Now Goat Island is one of the major tourist places in New Zealand, especially for visitors who want to see the marine life either by diving, snorkelling or from the glass bottom boat.

Thames High School

2010-03-18T15:49:00.000-07:00

Tony Enderby talked to students at the Goat Island Marine Reserve for approx. one hour. The creation of the marine reserve was covered, along with changes to the marine life over the past 35 years. Changes to businesses that work in the reserve, benefits to the community and benefits to marine education were all discussed. Students asked excellent questions and were very interested in the information talked about.

Silverdale School

2010-03-18T15:45:00.000-07:00

Tony gave a talk on the history of the marine reserve at Goat Island Bay to students of Silverdale School. He talked about changes in the marine reserve since everything was protected and the marine life there. The students then took a trip on the glass bottom boat to learn and see more the marine life around the island and reserve.

Stanley Bay School

2010-03-02T18:08:00.000-08:00

Stanley Bay School visited the Goat Island Marine Reserve on Friday February 26th. Discover Goat Island guides, Tony and Jenny Enderby, took 42 students snorkelled in three groups. Each group was rotated with taking a trip on the Glass Bottom Boat and exploring and learning about the rocky shore with a marine expert.
Weather conditions were great and the water was clear and 22degC. We saw numerous snapper, piper, red moki, leatherjackets, blue maomao and parore amongst other marine life.

LEARNZ

2010-02-15T11:03:00.000-08:00

On February 24 ,25 and 26 Learnz did a field trip to the Goat Island Marine Reserve. Over 200 schools registered, learning more about the marine reserve inhabitants and activities. Check out www.learnz.org.nz for more information.

Whangaparaoa College

2009-12-10T20:43:00.000-08:00

On December 8th and 9th students from Whangaparaoa College snorkelled with Discover Goat Island at Goat Island. The weather was warm and sunny and the water was clear. The students saw schools of blue maomao, eaglerays, snapper, parore and lots more. For many of the students it was their first time in the water and with tuition they were able to snorkel well within a few minutes.

Birkdale Intermediate School

2009-12-01T00:07:00.000-08:00

December 1st - another great day at Goat Island, this time with students from Birkdale Intermediate School, Auckland. A nice early start with calm conditions and green water. Plenty of snapper, red moki, blue maomao, spotties, leatherjackets etc to see. After the snorkel Discover Goat Island guides Tony and Jenny Enderby visited Echinoderm Reef and found sea hares, nudibranchs both orange and black, octopus, trumpet shells, kina, seastars and much more. The students then had a trip on the glass bottom boat.

St Andrews Middle School

2009-11-25T20:32:00.001-08:00

November 26th students from St Andrews Middle School, Hamilton snorkelled under the guidance of Tony & Jenny Enderby, Discover Goat Island. Bottlenose dolphins swam all around the students and stayed at the reserve for several hours. An awesome experience for everyone!
Check out our website and book your school in for 2010.

Waikowhai Intermediate School

2009-11-17T18:37:00.000-08:00

Waikowhai students visited the Goat Island Marine Reserve over three days and experienced the marine reserve by snorkelling under the guidance of Tony and Jenny Enderby of Discover Goat Island. They were lucky with great weather conditions and saw huge numbers of fish, learning about the difference a marine reserve makes.
Discover Goat Island

Corran School

2009-11-17T18:34:00.000-08:00

Girls from Corran School visited Goat Island Marine Reserve where we showed them some of the plants and animals that lived on the rocky shore. Next we all went snorkelling and had awesome visibility, saw heaps of fish and learnt about how marine reserves do make a difference.
A very nice group of girls and a real pleasure to guide at Goat Island.
Discover Goat Island