Neither just an island nor a beach, Te Hāwere-a-Maki (Goat Island) is home to incredible marine life and world-class activities. The turquoise waters surrounding the tiny island make up the country’s oldest marine reserve, established in the 1970s to reverse the effects of overfishing.
Though considered bold at the time, the Cape Rodney–Ōkakari Point Marine Reserve was remarkably successful. In fewer than 10 years, the area was teeming with crays, kelp forests and fish.
Chuck on your snorkel gear to explore this aquatic wonderland, just over an hours’ drive from Auckland City. Wave ‘hello’ to friendly snapper and explore habitats ranging from rocky shores to underwater cliffs. Bring your own gear or hire a set from Goat Island Dive & Snorkel.
Want to dive deeper? Learn how to dive at Goat Island, with beginner-friendly day courses to multi-day courses that end with a diving certificate. If that doesn’t float your boat, a near-invisible vessel might. Paddle around the shore in a translucent kayak or bob around in a glass-bottomed boat.
Are there goats? No, but there used to be. Goats were released by early European seafarers to feed those unlucky enough to get marooned on the island. Long before that, the rich coastal waters provided an excellent seafood source for early Māori settlers. Te Hāwere-a-Maki is the whenua of the Ngāti Manuhiri iwi, whose ancestors resided from Mangawhai in the north to just south of Whangaparāoa.
Learn more about the reserve and its creatures at the Goat Island Marine Discovery Centre. The kids will love the activity sheets and immersive displays – the tide pool tank is always a hit. If reptiles are more your thing, head to Ti Point Reptile Park (on the other side of Leigh) to see alligators and green iguanas basking in the sun.
Walkers, lace up your sneakers for the Goat Island Walkway. It takes about an hour (one way) to traverse along a vista-rewarding clifftop, paddocks and coastal broadleaf forest.
Getting there Te huarahi ki reira
It takes just under 1.5 hours to drive to Goat Island Beach from Auckland City, traffic depending. Leigh, the nearest town, is a 7-minute drive away.
Local tip He tīwhiri mō te rohe
Keep an eye on the swells before you visit – it's best when it is less than one metre.
