Visiting Goat Island Marine Reserve: My Experience + Tips
Is Goat Island actually worth the drive from Auckland? It depends a lot on the day you pick.
I’ve been to Goat Island twice. The first time, the water was clear, the fish were everywhere and I even swam over a stingray.
The second time it was showering on and off, the water turned murky and it just wasn’t the same.
So here’s what I’d want you to know before you go, from getting there and hiring snorkel gear to where to stay nearby.
Quick Answer: Visiting Goat Island
⭐⭐⭐ Where should you stay? Leigh Central is the closest stay to Goat Island, right in the village of Leigh. Check prices & availability →
⭐⭐ Want a treat? Riverside Matakana is one of the best-reviewed stays in the area, a short drive from the marine reserve. Check prices & availability →
Why is it called Goat Island?
So why is Goat Island called Goat Island, you’re probably asking. And are there goats on Goat Island?!
Well, the name Goat Island came about because goats were released on the island to feed early settlers who were marooned.
Today Goat Island in New Zealand remains a sanctuary for animals and wildlife, and you can see a lot more than goats!
One of the most interesting facts about Goat Island is that while you are actually unlikely to see any goats on land, goatfish are very common in the surrounding waters.
How to get to Goat Island Marine Reserve, NZ
If you’re wondering how do you get to Goat Island from Auckland, the good news is that Goat Island Marine Reserve is only an hour and 15-minute drive from Auckland.
Getting to Goat Island from Auckland is also very straightforward. Just follow SH1 until Warkworth and then turn right to head towards Goat Island Marine Reserve.
However, in the summer the traffic from Auckland to Goat Island can be very bad all the way from the turn-off, until the reserve.
This place is super packed in the summer so make sure you get here early to reserve a parking space and get some peace before it gets busy!
My Number One Tip: Hire a Car for Full Flexibility
Goat Island is around an hour and 15 minutes north of Auckland, and the easiest way to get there is with your own wheels. You can leave early and get a park before the crowds arrive.
Check here for the best car rental companies and prices for your Auckland trip →
Things to do at Goat Island Reserve, NZ
I highly recommend you take a picnic and have lunch while you’re at the Goat Island Marine Reserve (save the long lunches with wine for the best Waiheke wineries). The views are really beautiful, so you can sit and enjoy while you eat.
Oh, and watch out for the ducks who will pinch your food and also the dodgy fat-looking seagull that looks like it has eaten way too many pies.
The main things to do on Goat Island are snorkelling and swimming! In fact, Goat Island has some of the best snorkeling in New Zealand!
Because it is a marine reserve, the underwater life is thriving and there are so many interesting fish and creatures which will allow you to swim right up to them.
All of the wildlife on the Goat Island reserve is protected, and it is illegal to catch any of it. This means there is a healthy amount of beautiful fish that come say hello inches from your face!
It really is an experience to be that close to the sea life. Goat Island was also New Zealand’s first marine reserve!
You may see octopus, sea urchins, stingrays or if you’re super lucky a dolphin or a whale!
Sadly, Goat Island, NZ is miserable in inclement weather, so if you are thinking of heading there on a cloudy and possibly wet day I wouldn’t bother. You will only be disappointed!
Another option is to do a glass-bottom boat tour if swimming or snorkelling aren’t your thing. These Goat Island tours are truly a spectacular way to see the ocean life!
There are plenty of boats to take you out on the water and it’s a great way to see life underwater on the Goat Island marine reserve without getting wet!
If you know how to dive then you can take a full-day scuba diving charter. As this is a reserve fishing is prohibited so you will see an abundance of beautiful Goat Island fish!
Equipment hire at Goat Island Marine Reserve
I encourage you to bring your own snorkel and flippers to Goat Island reserve if you have them.
Otherwise no worries, you can rent them at the stores which are at the marine reserve.
You can also rent wetsuits and a range of other equipment on Goat Island beach if you need it.
Accommodation on Goat Island, NZ
Most people visit Goat Island Marine Reserve as a day trip from the city (see my luxury Auckland accommodation picks for where to base yourself) and won’t be interested in Goat Island camping & accommodation.
However, if you would like to stay longer, there are several Goat Island accommodation options available.
The most popular accommodation on Goat Island is a camping ground. Goat Island camping is a great budget option for those who love the outdoors.
There are also a few Goat Island hotel accommodation options on Booking.com that are nearby too!
Where I’d Stay Near Goat Island
(⭐⭐⭐ = my top pick)
⭐⭐⭐ Leigh Central: Pick this one if you want to be first in the water. It’s the closest stay to Goat Island, so you can beat the summer crowds and grab a park early. Check prices & availability →
⭐⭐ Riverside Matakana: Pick this one if you want to splurge a little. It’s one of the best-reviewed stays near Matakana, and an easy drive to Goat Island. Check prices & availability →
⭐ Plume Villas: Pick this one if you want something a little special. These villas near Matakana are some of the highest-rated stays in the area. Check prices & availability →
Final Thoughts
Goat Island Marine Reserve is a fantastic NZ day trip option if you are exploring Auckland and want to get away from the city. For another easy escape, I’ve written about how to get to Waiheke Island too.
If you love nature, it is an absolute must! It’s a beautiful, scenic spot, one of my favourite beaches near Auckland, and a fantastic option for families. Don’t forget to indulge in some Goat Island snorkelling when you visit!
Have you been to Goat Island Marine Reserve in New Zealand? What did you think? Did you see any goats?
Let me know your thoughts on Goat Island or any interesting Goat Island facts I missed in the comments!
Why is it called goat island, was it full of goats at one point ? 😀
Back in the day they used to fill the island with goats to provide food for those who were marroned on the island!
Oh i see ! 🙂
How wonderful to have preserved this as a marine reserve! From the pictures, the rocks seem shallow. I wonder what effect rising sea levels will have on the size of this island. Beth Jensen