Goat Island Experience Advanced Snorkel Tour
Pick your date
Highlighted days have spots open. Grey days are sold out or not running.
September 2026
Loading live availability
Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
Select a highlighted day to see live departure times and the exact price for your group.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 6 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Goat Island Experience Advanced Snorkel Tour worth booking?
Goat Island Experience Advanced Snorkel Tour is a 2.5-hour experience in Auckland, New Zealand, from $85 per person. It scores 65 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 5/5 rating across 6 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 65 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (6)
- Duration
- 2.5 hours
- From
- $85 per person
The experience starts with tips on advanced snorkel techniques. We share the history of the Leigh Coast, Goat Island Maine Reserve and the Matheson Bay Rewilding Project. We will also introduce you to the marine life you
What you get
About this experience
The experience starts with tips on advanced snorkel techniques. We share the history of the Leigh Coast, Goat Island Maine Reserve and the Matheson Bay Rewilding Project. We will also introduce you to the marine life you are likely to meet. In the Advanced group you will also learn some additional skills, learn to duck down or freedive to get a closer look at the fish. Under the supervision of your dive professional, you'll be off snorkeling in the Goat Island Marine Reserve. Your guide will ensure that you stay safe and comfortable at all times, whatever experience level you have. You will be part of a natural aquarium, teeming with colourful fish and marine life including blue maomao, huge snapper, eagle and stingrays, blue cod, octopus, kahawai and crayfish. Sometimes Dolphins or orca visit the reserve and will often play with the snorkelers, this might be your day!
What's included
Included
- Use of snorkeling equipment
What you'll see and do
Goat Island Marine Reserve
The experience starts with a quick refresh on snorkelling skills. We share the history of Goat Island and introduce you to the marine life you are likely to meet at New Zealand's first marine reserve. Before jumping in you'll receive a full, thorough safety briefing. We'll all make our way to the water, and finalize our equipment. Once our gear is on, we are ready to go and we will make our way out to our adventure. Wearing a weightbelt, we will practice duck diving so we can get up close to all the fabulous marine life! After the tour, you will be able to use the equipment for the remainder of the day and carry on exploring!
120 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Auckland
You will meet at Goat Island Dive and Snorkel Center (142A Pakiri Road, Leigh). Here, our friendly staff will get you kitted up with a mask, snorkel, fins and a wetsuit. You will then drive in your own vehicle 3km to the Goat Island Marine Reserve. Here you will meet with your Snorkel Instructor.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
You will meet at Goat Island Dive and Snorkel Center (142A Pakiri Road, Leigh). Here, our friendly staff will get you kitted up with a mask, snorkel, fins and a wetsuit. You will then drive in your own vehicle 3km to the Goat Island Marine Reserve. Here you will meet with your Snorkel Instructor.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 12 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Goat Island Dive & Snorkel
Know before you go
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Must be able to understand safety instructions in English
- Minimum age of 12 years.
- Must have snorkelled in the ocean before
Photos
Traveler reviews
6 verified traveler reviews for Goat Island Experience Advanced Snorkel Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Great experience
Great experience with a professional instructor. Super stunning weather. Lots of school trips were on the same day, however there was so much water and beach space for everyone. Thoroughly enjoyed this activity and would recommend it.
Response from the operator: Thank you for your rating - we are so glad you enjoyed your time with us! Great that you navigated the weather! We look forward to welcoming you again soon. Thanks, The Goat Island Dive & Snorkel Team
via Tripadvisor
Gorgeous area!
My guide was very knowledgeable in the area and she took my input of what I most wanted to see. The marine reserve was so pretty and they gave other great recommendations in the area to check out with the gear they let you keep for the full day. Definitely recommend!
Response from the operator: Thank you for your rating - we are so glad you enjoyed your time with us! We look forward to welcoming you again soon. Thanks, The Goat Island Dive & Snorkel Team
via Tripadvisor
Dynamite!
Great service, do need to get to the beach from the snorkel shop (we did not have a car!) Louis did a fantastic job directing and teaching us about what we might see in the water. It was a beautiful perfect day to snorkel. You can also keep the equipment longer and hang out on your own, we recommend. The shop manager went above and beyond for us to make sure we had an awesome experience.
Response from the operator: Thank you for your rating - we are so glad you enjoyed your time with us! Awesome to hear that you hung out longer to explore all the marine life! We look forward to welcoming you again soon. Thanks, The Goat Island Dive & Snorkel Team
via Viator
great experience !!!
Trip was really nice. Our instructors were so good and professional ,they made us feel very comfortable with being in the water, even though we couldn't swim deep down. Thank you for such a great experience.
Response from the operator: Thank you for your rating - we are so glad you enjoyed your time with us! We look forward to welcoming you again soon. Thanks, The Goat Island Dive & Snorkel Team
via Tripadvisor
Awesome snorkle adventure
We had a wonderful snorkel session with goat island dive and snorkel. Skye was very attentive and made sure everyone’s needs were met. She took time to run through expectations and when in the water she did well rangeling the unruly ducklings so that everyone was able to see the fish and other creatures. The fish were super curious and would approach the people and we were lucky enough to see eagle rays as well.
Response from the operator: Thank you for your rating - we are so glad you enjoyed your time with us! Great that you saw so much marine life, all the species are amazing in thier own right, but Eagle Rays really are special! We look forward to welcoming you again soon. Thanks, The Goat Island Dive & Snorkel Team
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 2.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $85 to $95
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 2
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 65
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Goat Island Experience Advanced Snorkel Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Auckland.
How much does Goat Island Experience Advanced Snorkel Tour cost?
+
Prices start at $85 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Auckland usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Goat Island Experience Advanced Snorkel Tour take?
+
Plan for about 2.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Auckland is not rushed.
Is Goat Island Experience Advanced Snorkel Tour worth it?
+
It holds an Outty Ranking of 65 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 6 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in Auckland, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Goat Island Experience Advanced Snorkel Tour?
+
Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Goat Island Experience Advanced Snorkel Tour suitable for kids and families?
+
Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Goat Island Experience Advanced Snorkel Tour?
+
Around 2 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Auckland can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
+
Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Auckland and add a light layer if any part of the 2.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Goat Island Experience Advanced Snorkel Tour start and how do I get there?
+
The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Auckland within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Auckland?
+
On Outty we rank every Auckland experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Guided Day Trip from Auckland incl lunch, Hobbiton Movie Set Small Group Tour with Cheeky Kiwi Travel, Hobbiton & Waitomo Glowworm Caves Tour with Lunch from Auckland. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Auckland?
+
Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Auckland?
+
Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
+
Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
Ready to lock in your spot?
Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Goat Island Experience Advanced Snorkel Tour.
Pick your date
