DISCOVER THE OCEAN AFTER DARK
GUIDED NIGHT SNORKELLING TOUR
Experience Goat Island Marine Reserve in a completely different way. Our Guided Night Snorkelling Tour is an unforgettable after-dark adventure for confident snorkellers who want to see the ocean transform beneath the stars.
As the sun sets, you’ll gear up with your guide, underwater torch and glow stick, then head into the water to discover nocturnal marine life, glowing movement in the dark and the magic of Te Hāwere-a-Maki / Goat Island Marine Reserve after sunset.
ADVENTURE FOR EVERYONE
SEE THE MARINE RESERVE COME ALIVE AT NIGHT
Night snorkelling is one of the most exciting ways to experience Goat Island. The reef feels different, the water feels wilder, and the marine life changes as daytime species settle and nocturnal creatures begin to move.
With your guide leading the way, you’ll snorkel with torches, watch fish move through the dark and experience the thrill of floating under a star-filled sky. On the right nights, you may even see the water sparkle with bioluminescence.
This is a bucket-list snorkelling experience for ocean lovers, adventurous travellers and confident snorkellers ready to try something truly memorable.
Perfect for confident snorkellers and night-time adventurers
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 looking for a unique experience
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Adventurous visitors wanting something different near Auckland
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Families with older children who are confident in the water
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Anyone excited to see nocturnal marine life
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Snorkellers ready to experience Goat Island after sunset
This tour is not suitable for complete beginners. If you have not snorkelled before, we recommend starting with the Beginner Guided Snorkel Tour.
Your night snorkel adventure includes
Your Guided Night Snorkelling Tour includes:
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Mask and snorkel
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Fins
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Wetsuit
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Underwater torch
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Glow stick for visibility
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Safety briefing
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Experienced local guide
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Guided night snorkel at Goat Island Marine Reserve
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A chance to see nocturnal marine life
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An unforgettable after-dark ocean experience
Bring your swimwear, towel and warm clothes for after the tour.
A completely different underwater world
Snorkelling at night changes everything. Your torch lights up only part of the reef at a time, making each moment feel focused, wild and exciting.
You may notice fish resting in reef crevices, nocturnal species moving through the water, sea hares, rays, crabs, crayfish and tiny creatures that are much harder to spot during the day. The whole marine reserve feels quieter, darker and more alive in a different way.
It is adventurous, slightly mysterious and absolutely unforgettable.
What to expect on your night snorkelling tour
Your tour starts at sunset, with the exact meeting time depending on the time of year. You’ll meet at 142A Pakiri Road, Leigh for check-in and gear fitting before making your way down to Goat Island Marine Reserve.
Your guide will provide a safety briefing, explain how to use your underwater torch and glow stick, and help the group get comfortable before entering the water.
Once in the reserve, you’ll follow your guide through the dark, using your torch to explore the reef and watch the marine environment change after sunset. Please allow around 3 hours for the full activity, including gear fitting, briefing and time in the water.
Guided, visible and adventure-ready
Night snorkelling is exciting, but it is also a guided and structured experience. Everyone is provided with an underwater torch, and glow sticks are used so your guide can easily see the group in the water.
This tour is for people who already know how to swim and have snorkelled before. Conditions are assessed on the day, and the tour will only run when the team decides it is safe and suitable.
Who can join?
You must know how to swim
You must have snorkelled before
Minimum age: 12 years
Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult
Best suited to confident snorkellers and ocean swimmers
Not suitable for complete beginners
For first-time snorkellers, choose the Beginner Guided Snorkel Tour first.
Book your night snorkelling adventure
Ready to see Goat Island after dark? Join our Guided Night Snorkelling Tour and experience the marine reserve in a way most visitors never do.
Spaces are limited and tour times change with sunset, so booking ahead is recommended.
Frequently asked questions
Is night snorkelling suitable for beginners?
No. Night snorkelling is best for people who have snorkelled before and are confident in the water. First-time snorkellers should book the Beginner Guided Snorkel Tour first.
Do I need to be able to swim?
Yes. You need to know how to swim and feel comfortable in the ocean to join the Guided Night Snorkelling Tour.
Is snorkel gear included?
Yes. Mask, snorkel, fins, wetsuit, underwater torch and glow stick are provided.
What time does the tour start?
The tour starts at sunset, so the exact time changes depending on the season.
How long does night snorkelling take?
Please allow around 3 hours for the full experience, including gear fitting, briefing and time in the water.
What might I see at night?
You may see resting fish, nocturnal marine life, sea hares, rays, crabs, crayfish, octopus, nudibranchs and, on some nights, bioluminescence.
Can children join?
Yes, children from 12 years old can join if they have snorkelled before and are confident in the water. Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult.
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.