Come join Experiencing Marine Reserves for the annual Motutapu Snorkel Day. Snorkel and explore the Island with a subsidised ferry ticket!

Ever wondered what lives under the water at Motutapu Island in the Hauraki Gulf? Join Experiencing Marine Reserves for a snorkel with our experienced guides and get FREE mask, snorkel, fins & wetsuit hire. See baby parore, spotties, eagle rays, triplefins and snapper.

The Motutapu Outdoor Education camp will be running some land based activities and providing a sausage sizzle dinner (details TBC). The Motutapu Restoration Trust will also be opening up the Reid Homestead so that visitors can learn about the island's history and conservation work.

Ferry tickets are $25 each + a booking fee. Safe fun for the whole whanau!

When: Saturday 16th of January

Ferry leaves from Auckland CBD ferry building at 10:15am

You need to arrive at the ferry building by 9.30am at the latest.

What: Snorkelling at Administration Bay, walks around the new planting, exploring the Reid Homestead and a sausage sizzle on the beach!

Where: Motutapu Island, ferry is arriving at Home Bay and leaving from the Auckland viaduct.Parking: Limited in Auckland CBD - I would recommend catching public transport.

What to bring: Togs, towel, sunhat, warm clothes, raincoat, water bottles, walking shoes, a picnic lunch and a torch if you want to explore the tunnels. 

Please note that there will be a ~45min walk to get from the ferry at Home Bay to the snorkel site. Reasonable level of fitness required. Suitable for children aged 5 and above, however please note this is a very long day.

This event was sponsored by The Bobby Stafford-Bush Foundation. It is run in conjunction with the Motutapu Outdoor Education Camp (Official) and Motutapu Restoration Trust.

Please note that the ferry ticket is non-refundable -  and the trip will run rain or shine! Our snorkel location will be Administration Bay or Home Bay – Dependent on the weather. If you are late and miss the ferry unfortunately there are no refunds.

COVID-19 Information

This event will be able to run in Level 1 only. At Level 2 or above we will be postponing to a later date. If we needed to postpone again due to COVID-19 everyone will receive a refund.

Please note the following information. If you have any concerns – please contact us.

• Your registration information will be held for contact tracing. We will also have a contact tracing QR code to scan.

• All shared equipment will be sanitised between uses.

• There will be hand sanitiser on the island for participants and crew to use.

Check out our frequently asked questions here:  https://www.emr.org.nz/images/emr/pdf/snorkel-days/FAQ__Information_Sheet_2020-21docx.pdf