Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
encounter. Colourful sponges, forests of seaweed, boarfish, crayfish and stingrays are
common sights, and if you're very lucky you may see orcas and bottle-nosed dolphins.
Visibility is claimed to be at least 10m, 75% of the time.
provides an opportunity to see the underwater life while staying dry. Trips last 45
minutes and run from the beach all year round, weather permitting; ring to check condi-
tions and to book.
Staffed by marine experts and graduate students from the University of Auckland, the
recently opened
Goat Island Marine Discovery Centre
( 09-923 3645;
www.goatislandmarine.co.nz
; Goat Island Rd, Leigh; adult/child/family $10/5/20; 10am-4pm
daily mid-Dec-March)
is packed with interesting exhibitions on the ecosystem of the marine
reserve, and is definitely worth visiting before venturing into Goat Island's waters. The
interactive displays and the tide pool full of marine creatures is great for children. Phone
ahead for opening hours outside of mid-December to March.
You can usually rent kayaks and snorkelling gear right from the beach. Snorkelling
gear (from $9) and wetsuits (from $12) can also be hired at
Seafriends
(
09-422 6212;
www.seafriends.org.nz
; 7 Goat Island Rd;
9am-7pm)
, further up the road, which also has
saltwater aquariums and a cafe.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Pakiri
Blissful Pakiri Beach, 12km past Goat Island (4km of the road is unsealed), is an unspoilt
expanse of white sand and rolling surf - a large chunk of which is protected as a regional
park.
Right by the water,
Pakiri Beach Holiday Park
( 09-422 6199;
www.pakiriholidaypark.co.nz
;
261 Pakiri River Rd; sites from $50, units $80-400)
has a shop and
tidy units of varying degrees of luxury in a secure setting under the shade of pohutukawa.
nz.co.nz
; Rahuikiri Rd)
, which has more than 80 horses available for superb bush-and-beach
rides, ranging from one hour ($65) to multiday 'safaris'. Accommodation is provided in
basic but spectacularly situated beachside
cabins
(dm/cabin $35/155)
or in a comfortable
four-bedroom
house
($500)
, secluded among the dunes.
