About this Event
Join Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust on a trip to Rotoroa Island to snorkel at Ladies Bay. In the past we have seen parore, paketi/spotties, hui/sweep, ahuruhuru/goat fish, wheke/octopus and short tailed stingrays!
Snorkeling is FREE including our experienced volunteer guides, mask , snorkel, fin, wetsuit and body board hire. This event is funded by Tu Manawa Active Aotearoa and The Bobby Stafford Bush Foundation to provide opportunity for young women and girls to snorkel, with ferry tickets further subsided by Explore group and run with the assistance of the Rotoroa Island Trust.
The day will include :
-Return ferry ride from the CBD --> Rotoroa island
- Welcome talk by the Rotoroa island trust
-Free guided snorkel at ladies bay (or maimai bay)
- Time to explore the pest free island or relax on the beach!
To find out more about Rotoroa Island check out the website https://www.rotoroa.org.nz/
What to bring -
- Swimwear/togs (required)
- Towel (required)
- Sunhat/sunglasses (recommended)
- Warm clothes (recommended)
- Drink bottle with water (required)
- Snacks/lunch (required)
- Personal Medic*tion (required)
Ferry ticket pricing
Women/girls up to 25 (YW&G) - FREE
Guardians of young women/girls - $30
For anyone else who wants to join us for a snorkel at Ladies bay…
Children - $38.50 (30% off normal pricing for snorkellers only)
Adults - $77 (30% off normal pricing for snorkellers only)
If you want to join the trip with your family but dont want to snorkel there will be full price tickets available for the ferry, please visit https://www.exploregroup.co.nz/auckland/rotoroa-island/ to book.
When:
Tuesday 27th January
⌚️8:45 - 4:00
9:15 - 10:45 - Ferry ride to Rotoroa Island
10:45 - 2:25 - Time on Island including snorkel and free time to explore and relax
2:25 - 3:55 - Ferry ride to Auckland CBD
A more detailed timeline will be emailed to you prior to the event.
🏠 Where -
Rotoroa Island, leaving from the Expore Kiosk in the viaduct
(At the end of Quay Street diagonally across from the NZ Maritime Museum)
Parking:
Paid parking available in Auckland CBD - we recommend catching public transport. Walkable from Britomart.
🌞 Weather call -
Please note that the ferry ticket is non-refundable - and the trip will run rain or shine! Our snorkel location will be Ladies Bay or Maimai – Dependent on the weather. If you are late and miss the ferry unfortunately there are no refunds and the ferry cannot wait.
🎟 Registrations -
Suitable for ages 4+.
Children under 14 need an adult in the water with them
Children under 16 need to be acompanyed by an adult
Accessibility - Snorkelling involves wearing fins and a mask and snorkel. You can not wear glasses under the mask. If you are physically unable to wear fins please speak to a crew member when signing in. There are toilets as well as changing rooms on site. You will need to travel over grass/sand/ un even ground. There is a walk of 10 - 15 minutes from the wharf to the snorkel site.
💰 Donations -
Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust runs a series of free and subsidised events over the summer months — we rely on your support to make them happen. We appreciate donations, either cash/eftpos on the day, online or by giving a koha of your time volunteering at a future event.
❌ Cancellation policy -
Please note that the ferry ticket is non-refundable - and the trip will run rain or shine! If you are late and miss the ferry unfortunately there are no refunds and the ferry cannot wait.
Snorkel/Paddle Day FAQ & Risk Disclosure
It is great to hear that you are interested in one of our snorkel days for the 2025/26 summer season!
Here is a list of frequently asked questions which may help you get ready for our events – Please read these questions and if there is something that isn’t answered please feel free to get in touch via contact on the event description.
Q: Who is Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust (MTSCT)?
A: Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust – our kaupapa (ethos) is to teach kaitiakitanga (guardianship) through experiential learning. In short – we teach communities about the ocean and freshwater environments by running free community snorkel and paddle events and school programmes. Our Experiencing Marine Reserve programme, which is Adventure Activity certified for snorkelling, has helped take 180,000 people snorkelling since 2002.
For more information on us check out our website https://www.mountainstosea.org.nz/
Q: Is it free?
A: MTSCT relies heavily on donations to make our community and school programmes possible. We appreciate donations to make our events possible - whether that be cash or eftpos on the day, online or a donation of your time volunteering on future events. An average donation is $5-10 per participant. A $10 donation can pay for a replacement snorkel, a $25 donation can pay for a new set of flippers, a $50 donation can put a student through a full programme in school and a $1500 donation can run an entire snorkel day.
Q: Do I need to pre-register for this event?
A: Most snorkel day events do not require pre-registration, but are recommended to prioritise you getting a spot! However you can just show up between the hours stated on the event and register at the tent. The exceptions to this are our kayak/SUP events, events which we need to book ferries – such as Motutapu and Rotoroa and our adventure snorkel days to locations like the Poor Knights + Mokohinaus.
Q: How old does my child have to be? Do I have to snorkel with them? Is there a maximum age?
A: MTSCT has a minimum age of 4 years for snorkeling*, 7 years for
Kayaking and 10 years for paddleboarding. We prefer that if your child is under 16 years that a parent or guardian comes along with us for a snorkel. We are not a babysitting service. No maximum age as long as you are fit and healthy for snorkelling.
*Some exceptions for the adventure snorkel days - check the event details
Q: I/my child am/is not a strong swimmer – can I/they participate?
A: No prior swimming/snorkelling/paddling ability is required for most MTSCT events*. When registering please communicate your ability level and you will be assigned a snorkel/kayak guide to suit your ability. All snorkelling groups will have a body board for floatation, wetsuits and flippers will assist in buoyancy. We can utilise extra body boards for buoyancy. We find life jackets can impede snorkeling. Please note that if you have a group of non-swimmers your wait may be slightly longer as we need to get you the most experienced guides, we may also limit your snorkel to the shallows in order to keep you safe and well supported. For kayaking and paddle boarding events we provide all the equipment needed, including life jackets.
*Prior swimming and snorkel/paddling experience may be required for more advanced events like adventure snorkels and kayak clean ups, please check the event details for further information on ability pre requisites.
Q: Will we be snorkeling in deep water? I’m scared of {insert wildlife here}.
A: The snorkel profile will depend on the location. Most sites will start shallow which will allow you to get comfortable with the equipment first before going into deeper water. If you are not comfortable please let your guide know and they will stay in the shallows. Wildlife on our snorkels is the highlight! Your guides will keep you a safe distance.
Q: How big are the groups?
A: On snorkel days we have a group size of 6 participants – with a maximum of 4 children (14 and below) per guide. There is the possibility of combining groups to make a group of 8-10 with two guides. If you are a couple or a group of 3 you will most probably be joint with a group of similar ability.
Q: How do I hire the gear? Can I bring my own?
A: We have all the equipment – Mask, snorkel, fins and wetsuit available to use for free (we do appreciate a koha/donation). We have sizes to fit 95% of people but if you have very large feet (15+) it could pay to bring your own. If you want to bring your own gear – great! We just need to check that it is ‘fit for purpose’ - that it isn’t too old or unsafe. We do not allow the use of Full Face Masks/snorkels as they are a safety hazard. If you are an experienced freediver/spearo you are welcome to bring your weight belt – please conduct a buoyancy test in the shallows and your guide reserves the right to drop it if you are in difficulty.
Q: Can I take kina/seafood?
A: MTSCT runs events in areas that are open to fishing as well as marine reserves. However our kaupapa (ethos) is that while you are participating in the activity/in our gear it is strictly no take!
Q: Who are the snorkel guides and what is their role? Can I snorkel without one?
A: Apart from the event leader and a 2IC all the snorkel guides are volunteers. They are from a variety of backgrounds – many are studying marine biology or pursuing careers in SCUBA diving, all are enthusiasts about our marine environment! All the guides are provided with training and mentorship. If you want to become a snorkel guide you can register here: https://www.mountainstosea.org.nz/support/volunteer
Snorkel guides will give you a full safety briefing and a run down of how to use the equipment. Please follow their instructions. If you are using any of our equipment and/or you have registered at the tent you need to have a guide. If you have your own equipment you are welcome to snorkel as you please as an individual.
On Adventure Snorkel Days we have a rating system which allows participants more freedom to explore.
Q: What safety measures are in place?
A: Experiencing Marine Reserves is Outdoorsmark Accredited. For more information please check https://www.mountainstosea.org.nz/health-and-safety
Q: Where do the pictures go? I don’t want my picture taken.
A: All the images from the day are sent to you via email in a google photo album. Top images from the day may be shared on social media platforms, on our website and in our reports to funders. When you register for the event you are giving permission to use the images of you/your family. If you don’t want to have any images taken please let the tent know when you are registering and they will give you a no photo lanyard.
Follow us on facebook or Eventbrite to hear about future events. We run a whole series between November and May every year across 9 regions from Northland to Canterbury
Experiencing Marine Reserves (EMR) - Terms and Conditions
O In any adventure activity, there is an element of risk involved. Risks in undertaking this activity include drowning, emotional distress, strain injuries, sun-burn and dehydration, injuries from collisions with vessels, cuts from oysters and other sharp objects, injury on shore and damaging the environment.
O You acknowledge that the activity you are about to embark on may present you a higher level of risk than day to day living. Because this is a dynamic activity, the actions of every participant will have direct and indirect effects on the safety and enjoyment of the whole group.
O The EMR staff take all practicable steps to identify and minimize potential dangers. However, you must follow our instructions (and use the safety equipment provided) at all times. Adults accompanying any person under the age of 18 must ensure that the underage person follows our instructions at all times. You must release or indemnify EMR and our staff against any liability we incur to anyone else, resulting from your failure to follow our instructions or the failure of any person accompanying you under the age of 18 to follow our instructions.
O We reserve the right to withdraw any person who in our opinion is likely to endanger them selves or others.
O We also reserve the right to cancel the snorkel tour if we become concerned for any reason for your safety or that of any other person.
O You accept that EMR will not be liable for any personal or property damage, regardless of how this might occur, and without exception, which could result from your participation in this activity. This exclusion is subject to any rights or remedies you may have under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993.
O Due to the rugged and remote setting of this activity, access to hospital and medical facilities can be limited. By signing below you are giving consent for the administration of medical treatment by the instructor / guide and medical personnel in an emergency situation. It is important that you provide a complete account of your medical history on the panel above for these reasons.
O That EMR reserves the right to withdraw persons, cancel or modify the trip, as the situation may require, when in our opinion there is a safety issue;
O BY CLICKING I AGREE YOU HEREBY CERTIFY THAT YOU UNDERSTAND AND AGREE TO ALL OF THE ABOVE TERMS AND CONDITIONS, AND UNDERSTAND THAT YOU ARE ULTIMATELY RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR PERSONAL SAFETY. PLEASE NOTIFY YOUR GUIDE IMMEDIATELY IF YOU HAVE ANY CONCERNS.
You will also sign a waiver on the day to confirm you understand these terms and conditions
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Explore booking Kiosk, Quay Street, Auckland, New Zealand
NZD 0.00 to NZD 82.72
