Glass Bottom Boat, Tours Goat Island Marine Reserve Leigh
The Glass Bottom Boat, 'Aquador', runs trips at Goat Island Marine Reserve, world renowned for its abundant marine life. Goat Island Marine Reserve was the first marine reserve established in New Zealand in 1975, situated just outside Leigh, 90kms north of Auckland.
Marine reserves are designated areas of sea and coastline, and are 'no-take' areas. The marine life is left to recover and flourish, allowing scientists to investigate ecosystems in the absence of human pressures.
The Glass Bottom Boat, run by Ivan and Christina Blackwell, has been operating safely for over 13 years. Aquador has been specifically designed and built to give visitors the best possible view of the marine life without going underwater. It has recently been refurbished and can take up to 49 passengers.
The aluminium boat is 11 metres long and has large glass windows in the floor. Seating for 49 people ensures good views from all seats. An easy access ramp allows safe, dry and easy embarking from the beach, and also makes the boat wheelchair accessible (as long as the sea conditions allow safe boarding).
Both Ivan and Christina have a wide knowledge of the sea and its creatures, coming from a background of both recreational and commercial fishing and sailing. Ivan and Christina live in Leigh with their three children.
TRIPS & PRICES (quoted in NZ$, subject to change)
Around the Island trip (Our most popular trip) - This fascinating 45-minute eco-tourism adventure gives various views of the fish and abundant marine life both above and below the water. Also, admire the outer reefs and big caves of Goat Island.
- Adults: $25.00 each
- Children: $13.00 each
- Family Pass: $70.00 (2 adults & 2 children)
- Discounts for schools and larger groups can be arranged. Prices subject to change without notice.
- Trip may not suit toddlers or people who suffer from motion sickness.
Inner Island trip (30 minute trip) - See the ocean bottom, sea urchins and a variety of fish. This trip is our substitute for the 'Around the Island' trip, depending on weather conditions.
- Adults: $20.00 each
- Children: $10.00 each
- Family Pass: $55.00 (2 adults & 2 children)
- Discounts for schools and larger groups can be arranged. Prices subject to change without notice.
Marine Life - You can reasonably expect to see some of the following marine life, but weather and sea conditions will have an influence on the number and types of creatures that you will see. Every trip is unique!
Fish seen include snapper, blue maomao, parore, red moki, goatfish, leatherjackets, sweep, blue cod, spotties, kelpfish, marblefish, eagle rays and stingrays. Some of the snapper for which the reserve is famous, are a metre long and have lived in the reserve for many years.
Birds seen include pied shags, red-billed and Dominican seagulls, little blue penguins, reef herons, terns, gannets and petrels.
Other creatures seen include kina, turbans, kelp, seaweeds, mosses, lichens, sponges, anemones, and on a few occasions we have even seen marine mammals such as dolphins, orca and whales… and SHARKS!
Glass Bottom Boat, Tours Goat Island Marine Reserve Leigh Enquiry Form
Address:
+64 9 422 6334
Phone: +64 9 422 6334
Mobile: +64274 979 764
Fax: +64 9 422 6901
Web: Visit website
RATES: Quoted in NZ$, Subject to Change.
- Prices as above
- Please submit an email enquiry for a personalised quote