Goat Island worth the wait

The secret to relaxing at the Goat Island marine reserve, east of Warkworth, is to stay away until at least February. This month and next, large holiday crowds head for the reserve's safe, sandy beach, reefs and glass-bottom boat.

There is also the opportunity to hire snorkelling gear, wetsuits and funboards. The water warms from February, and parking is easier to find.

Contact: for a pre-visit update on the weather, sea conditions, and underwater visibility, call Auckland Marine 0900 999 or Toby at Goat Island Snorkel, (09) 422 6655. For tickets and schedules for the glass bottom boat, (09) 422 6334

Glass Bottom Boat