Snorkel our Coastal Aquarium – Cathedral Cove Marine Reserve

You’d be forgiven for not associating New Zealand with tropical reefs, but what it lacks in palm-fringed atolls, it makes up for in a variety of fish life. The wealth and density of marine life is exciting. This magnificent marine reserve runs from the northern end of Hahei Beach to Cook Bluff Scenic Reserve. While there is no vehicle access, a highly scenic walking track follows the coast from Hahei to Cathedral Cove. You can stop off at Gemstone Bay, Stingray Bay and Mares Leg on the way. Gemstone Bay is the site of an excellent snorkelling trail. Snorkellers can swim to a series of marker buoys that carry information about the species you can expect to encounter. For example, at buoy three snorkellers can hope to see marblefish, butterfish and red moki hiding in a seaweed city. The position of each buoy coincides with different habitats within the bay. Delicate corals, usually found at depth, are close to the surface in Poikeke Island cave. Closer to shore, brittle starfish might be found on rocky platforms and red moki graze amid forests of seaweed. Predators, like the leather-jacket, pick their food from a range of smaller animals.

Beautiful Cathedral Cove beach is an idyllic destination for picnics and swimming.