GO FURTHER BENEATH THE SURFACE
ADVANCED GUIDED SNORKEL TOUR
Ready to take your snorkelling beyond the basics? Our Advanced Guided Snorkel Tour is designed for confident ocean swimmers who have snorkelled before and want to explore more of Te Hāwere-a-Maki / Goat Island Marine Reserve.
With an experienced guide, quality snorkel gear and a focus on skills like duck diving, snorkel clearing, breath control and equalising, this tour is the perfect next step for anyone who wants more confidence, more technique and more adventure in the water.
ADVENTURE FOR EVERYONE
TAKE YOUR GOAT ISLAND SNORKELLING ADVENTURE FURTHER
If you’ve already tried snorkelling and feel confident in the ocean, this guided tour helps you build your skills and experience more of the reserve.
You’ll start with a safety briefing and a refresher in the shallows before heading out with your guide to explore the marine reserve. Along the way, you’ll practise techniques that can help you become more comfortable moving through the water, diving below the surface and observing marine life up close — without touching, taking or disturbing the environment.
This is a fun, active and skill-building snorkelling experience for people who want to go beyond floating on the surface.
Perfect for confident snorkellers and ocean swimmers
This tour is ideal for:
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People who have snorkelled before
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Confident swimmers
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Ocean lovers ready for more adventure
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Visitors wanting to learn duck diving basics
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Snorkellers interested in breath control and equalising
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Families with older children who are confident in the water
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Anyone wanting a more active Goat Island Marine Reserve experience
This tour is not designed for complete beginners. For first-time snorkellers or nervous swimmers, we recommend the Beginner Guided Snorkel Tour.
Everything you need for an advanced snorkel adventure
Your Advanced Guided Snorkel Tour includes:
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Mask and snorkel
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Fins
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Wetsuit
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Weight belt
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Safety briefing
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Snorkelling technique tips
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Duck diving guidance
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Breath-hold and equalising basics
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Friendly local guide
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Time exploring Goat Island Marine Reserve
You can also keep your snorkel gear for the rest of the day after your tour, giving you more time to practise and enjoy the reserve.
BOOK NOW
Build confidence below the surface
This tour is about exploring more and learning more. Depending on the group and conditions, your guide may introduce:
Duck diving
Learn how to dip below the surface and move more smoothly through the water.
Equalising
Understand how to balance pressure as you descend, helping you stay more comfortable underwater.
Snorkel clearing
Practise clearing water from your snorkel so you feel more relaxed and confident.
Breath control
Learn simple awareness techniques to help you stay calm, controlled and comfortable in the water.
What to expect on your advanced snorkel tour
Your adventure begins at Goat Island Dive & Snorkel, where our team will fit you with your included snorkel equipment: mask, snorkel, fins, wetsuit and weight belt.
You’ll then drive your own vehicle around 3 km to Goat Island Marine Reserve, where you’ll meet your guide. The tour starts with an introduction to the reserve, the marine life you may see and a full safety briefing.
Once everyone is comfortable, you’ll begin in the shallows with a quick gear and confidence check before heading out to explore. During the tour, your guide will introduce techniques such as duck diving, equalising and snorkel clearing, helping you become more confident below the surface.
After the tour, you can keep using the equipment for the rest of the day, so you can continue practising and enjoying the marine reserve at your own pace.
Please allow around 2.5 hours for the full experience, including gear fitting, briefings and time in the water.
Guided, supported and adventure-ready
Your safety comes first. Goat Island Dive & Snorkel is a fully safety-audited adventure activity operator with AdventureMark certification, and your guide will support the group throughout the experience.
This tour is best suited to people who are already comfortable in the ocean. Your guide will choose the route and skills based on the conditions, visibility, swell and confidence of the group on the day.
Who can join?
You must have snorkelled before and be confident in the ocean
Minimum age: 8 years
Independent snorkellers must be over 12 years
Children aged 8–12 must be accompanied by an adult
Maximum of 2 children per adult
Best suited to confident swimmers and people ready for a more active snorkelling experience
For complete beginners, nervous swimmers or anyone who has not snorkelled before, choose the Beginner Guided Snorkel Tour instead.
Book your advanced snorkelling adventure
Ready to go deeper, explore further and build your snorkelling confidence? Join our Advanced Guided Snorkel Tour and experience a more adventurous side of Goat Island Marine Reserve.
Spaces can fill quickly over summer, weekends and school holidays, so booking ahead is recommended.
Frequently asked questions
Is this tour suitable for beginners?
No. This tour is designed for people who have snorkelled before and are confident in the ocean. If you are new to snorkelling, book the Beginner Guided Snorkel Tour.
Do I need to be able to swim?
Yes. You should be a confident swimmer and comfortable in the ocean before joining the Advanced Guided Snorkel Tour.
What skills will I learn?
Depending on the conditions and the group, your guide may introduce duck diving, equalising, snorkel clearing, breath control and techniques to help you move more confidently in the water.
Is snorkel gear included?
Yes. Your mask, snorkel, fins, wetsuit and weight belt are included.
Can children join the Advanced Guided Snorkel Tour?
Yes, children from 8 years old can join if they are confident in the ocean. Children aged 8–12 must be accompanied by an adult.
How long does the tour take?
Please allow around 2.5 hours for the full experience, including gear fitting, briefings and time in the water.
Where does the tour take place?
The tour takes place at Te Hāwere-a-Maki / Goat Island Marine Reserve, near Leigh, about one hour north of Auckland.