GOAT ISLAND DIVE and SNORKEL
0985 Leigh
NZL
More than 20 years ago, the success story of Goat Island Dive and snorkel started and became the first dive center in Leigh! The founders realized there was a lack of knowledge about the local underwater world and how to respect it. Having access to the world’s first marine reserve was (and still is ) a privilege and the message about ocean protection needed to be spread. So now, Goat Island Dive and Snorkel provides its customers with a friendly atmosphere completed with outstanding marine knowledge, premium dive equipment, and a love for all things ocean!
Goat Island Dive and Snorkel and its team are very passionate about providing you with the best. Our high-quality instructors will help you grow and obtain the skills needed to start your underwater journey and make diving a lifetime of adventure. We will guide you at your own pace to a level of proficiency that ensures your continued enjoyment of the sport.
Goat Island Dive and Snorkel is here to help you make informed purchasing decisions that enable them to attain your personal diving goals. We believe success comes from repetition and therefore we’ve always got something going on! Safe driving is combined with the best of services and hospitality to ensure that you will love our frequent local (and international) diving activities.
We guarantee that our service and our equipment will allow you to dive with confidence here at Goat Island Dive and Snorkel. Visit our website or join us on Facebook and Instagram. Let’s get diving!
What We Offer
Programs
Dives
Gas Fills
Rental
Services
Payment Method
Affiliated Divesites View on map
★★★★★ Middle Arch
Middle Arch is one of the best sites for diving at the Poor Knights. The Arch bottoms out at 18m and slopes down to 30m+ on both the North and South ends of the Arch. There is also an interesting cave with an air pocket near the Southwestern entrance to the Arch.
★★★★★ Blue MaoMao Arch
Blue Maomao Arch is known as one of the best dive sites in New Zealand, and possibly the world. The arch is best dived later in the day with the afternoon sun illuminating the site. The Arch itself is at most 15m deep, however, the depth drops to 20m+ at the eastern end.
★★★★☆ Yellow Sponge Garden
Yellow Sponge Garden is found by heading in a West to North Westerly direction from the shore of the reserve. The sponges are first spotted at around the 8-9m depth mark. The tall kelp stalks leading up to the site are dusty and the ledges will drop off onto sponge bearing sandy patches.
★★★★☆ ABC Bay
Located on the left hand side of the island, marked with a white letter B on the cliff face. Depth of 5-6m with a sandy bottom and a kelp wall. Over the wall and into the bay itself it becomes very shallow 2-3m
★★★★☆ Gem Cave
Best dove during high tide - best snorkeled during the lower tides. Located on the right side of the island. The gem cave has two entries and they merge together in the back. It doesn’t go far back and there is a slight space between the surface and the cave ceiling. Very dim lights - bring a torch!
★★★★☆ Mathesons Bay
Mathesons Bay is a sheltered bay that is perfect for diving! Divers can easily enter and exit the water via the beach or over the rock platform if the tide is right.
★★★★☆ Jones Bay
Jones Bay is fantastic for learning to dive. It has a sandy sloping bottom with plenty of shellfish. There is also a significant reef structure that provides shelter from the current.
★★★★☆ Shag Rock
This site is located just out from the main beach of the reserve. The rock itself is visible during low tide but not at high tide. Depth ranges between 3-5m (depending on the tide) with sandy pathways filled with kelp forests behind them.
★★★★☆ Ti Point Wharf
Ti Point is a great beginners dive site! It is an easy site to access with a concrete ramp and wharf that can be used to enter and exit the water.
★★★★☆ Tawharanui
Tawharanui Marine Reserve is a great dive site. The reserve stretches from along the surf beach to Takatu Point. It varies in depth with the best diving being in the 10 - 15m mark.
★★★★☆ Waterfall Reef
Located in the far Eastern side of the channel, hugging closer to the mainland. Depths from 10m !!! Notable water movement and currents with easterly conditions such and wind and swell. Tide timing is important for this dive site - incoming to slack tide is the best for it to be easier to get back to shore.
Opening Hours
| Monday | 08:00 - 17:00 |
| Tuesday | 08:00 - 17:00 |
| Wednesday | 08:00 - 17:00 |
| Thursday | 08:00 - 17:00 |
| Friday | 08:00 - 17:00 |
| Saturday | 08:00 - 17:00 |
| Sunday | 08:00 - 17:00 |
Closed for winter From 6th of June - 4th of September.
+64 09 - 4226925 Visit WebsiteOpening Hours
| Monday | 08:00 - 17:00 |
| Tuesday | 08:00 - 17:00 |
| Wednesday | 08:00 - 17:00 |
| Thursday | 08:00 - 17:00 |
| Friday | 08:00 - 17:00 |
| Saturday | 08:00 - 17:00 |
| Sunday | 08:00 - 17:00 |
Closed for winter From 6th of June - 4th of September.