Home   >>   Auckland Holiday Activities   >>   Glass Bottom Boat Goat Island Marine Reserve

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Price Guide:     (Average price per person: $10 - $29)

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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.

Trips run every day (weather and sea conditions permitting), travelling around the reserve showing passengers the reefs, marine life, caves and seabirds in their natural habitat. A full commentary about the marine life and the marine reserve accompanies all trips which are suited to all ages.

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. An easy access ramp allows safe, dry and easy embarking from the beach, and also makes the boat wheelchair accessible.

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!

Remember to ring to confirm that the boat is operating! (09) 422 6334

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