Parking: You must park at the Marine Reserve parking area and walk towards the Discovery Centre. Just before the Discovery Centre you will see a DOC Sign for The Lookout and Coastal Walkway. Here is the start of your walk.
New Zealand’s first marine reserve, better known as Goat Island was created in 1975 and officially opened in 1977. It covers 518 hectares of coastal sea between Cape Rodney and Okakari Point.
Snorkeling is a must or even just a relax on the beach. Make sure you go when there is less than one metre swell on the east coast and no wind or offshore wind from the southwest. Visibility underwater is best during late summer when water is also warmest. After heavy rain, easterly swells and onshore winds visibility is usually reduced. The Leigh coast has long been inhabited by Maori. The bay was known as Whakatuwhenua and the island as Motu Hawere. The coast was a prolific fish, shellfish and crayfish gathering area for local Maori.
In the 1940s large snapper were caught from the beach, and crayfish collected from rock pools by locals. Locals also removed large amounts of kelp that washed onto the beach after storms to use for fertilisers. By the 1950s and 1960s the marine life had been reduced due to overfishing and collecting, so this transformation illustrated the value of conservation. Beneath the waves habitats range from rocky shores and sandflats to deep reefs, underwater cliffs and canyons. Each habitat has its own community of sea creatures now.
A marine laboratory was established by the University of Auckland to the east of the beach in 1964. Staff at the university had the idea of creating a protected piece of coast so that their studies of marine life would not be affected.
The marine reserve is ideal for children and others to experience snorkelling and see marine life in a protected environment and with the chance to once again thrive.
The Hauraki Gulf Islands (Little Barrier, Great Barrier, Mokohinaus, Sail Rock and the Hen & Chicks) are beautiful to look upon and sometimes defined with crisp lines.
Parking is not allowed where indicated. Please adhere to the rules of the Marine Reserve & University Marine Lab.
The walk and cache are family friendly. A stroller or pram is not recommended but could be used if you had two people to navigate the steps.
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