Shag Rock

Goat Island is a marine reserve located near Cape Rodney in the Hauraki Gulf. The reserve offers a range of marine landscapes, from sandy flats to rocky reef systems.

Located on the left hand side of the island, marked with a white letter B on the cliff face. Depth of 5-6m with a sandy bottom and a kelp wall. Over the wall and into the bay itself it becomes very shallow 2-3m

Located in the far Eastern side of the channel, hugging closer to the mainland. Depths from 10m !!! Notable water movement and currents with easterly conditions such and wind and swell. Tide timing is important for this dive site - incoming to slack tide is the best for it to be easier to get back to shore.

Best dove during high tide - best snorkeled during the lower tides. Located on the right side of the island. The gem cave has two entries and they merge together in the back. It doesn’t go far back and there is a slight space between the surface and the cave ceiling. Very dim lights - bring a torch!

Yellow Sponge Garden is found by heading in a West to North Westerly direction from the shore of the reserve. The sponges are first spotted at around the 8-9m depth mark. The tall kelp stalks leading up to the site are dusty and the ledges will drop off onto sponge bearing sandy patches.

Tabletop Reef is a beautiful dive site that has quite a range of features the inner part of the reef system features steep bommies that drop down to the sandy bottom at around 10 meters. As you follow the reef North it flattens out to a kelp and sponge garden eventually reaching a sand flat at roughly 20 meters.

Leigh wharf is a nice easy shallow dive site but as is the nature of wharf’s there is plenty of boat traffic and fishing paraphernalia to be aware of and cautious about.

The MUC is an amazing late afternoon/early evening dive. The cove slopes from shallows to 20m+ on the sand. Be cautions of the steep steps from the carpark!

Penguin Point is a favourite site for many divers. It has a difficult entry and exit however the dive is well worth the effort. Penguin Point slopes from a couple of meters in the shallows to 25m+ further from the coast.

The Outpost is a great dive site with various attractions. It ranges from a sheltered bay to steep walls that are filled with life. It is best to dive from a boat, however, it is possible to do this as a shore dive with a long surface swim from Leigh.