Goat Island: An Auckland Snorkelling Haven
Goat Island, or Te Hāwere-a-Maki, is a small island located on the Matakana Coast in northern Auckland, near Leigh on Cape Rodney-Okakari Point Marine Reserve. It is part of the Cape Rodney-Okakari Point Marine Reserve, New Zealand's first marine reserve, established in 1975. The island's proximity to the coast and its clear waters make it an ideal spot for snorkelling, particularly after calm weather.
Marine Reserve and Wildlife
The marine reserve spans five kilometres of coastline and extends 800 metres offshore. This protected area has seen a rise in crayfish and snapper populations and serves as a breeding and nursery ground for various marine species. It is one of over 40 marine reserves in New Zealand, contributing significantly to marine conservation efforts.
Historical and Cultural Significance
The establishment of the reserve was influenced by research conducted by the University of Auckland during the 1960s and early 1970s. The university continues to operate the nearby Leigh Marine Laboratory. Additionally, the area is home to a memorial for the Cosmic Noise Expedition of 1948, where astronomers John Boulton and Gordon Stanley recorded radio waves from the Crab Nebula, marking a world-first achievement.
Goat Island is also important to Ngāti Manuhiri iwi. Their ancestral waka, Moekākara, is believed to have landed nearby. Local Māori were severely affected by the Musket Wars during the 1820s. The first European settlers, arriving from Nova Scotia in the 1850s, cleared the surrounding forests for farming. However, they faced an unexpected challenge when the government took and auctioned off their land and improvements.
How to Get to Goat Island
To reach Goat Island, drive 1.5 hours, 91 km, north from Downtown Auckland. Take the northern motorway to Warkworth, then follow the signs for Matakana. From Matakana, follow Leigh Road to Leigh, on the south side of Cape Rodney, then take Pakiri Road for 1.6 kilometres before turning onto Goat Island Road. This leads to a large parking area. From there, it's a short downhill walk to the coast and beach.
You can also explore the Goat Island Bay Walkway by walking up the road past the research centre, located east of the coast access. For a scenic view, take a brief side trip to a lookout point on Cape Rodney Road at sunset.
If you continue on Pakiri Road, you will reach the more remote and beautiful white sand Pakiri Beach. Continuing north on a network of gravel roads, you can also visit Te Ārai Regional Park.
