Tāwharanui Snorkel Day 2025!

We are excited to show you the life inside the marine reserve at Tāwharanui. Join us for a FREE guided snorkel, all equipment provided including an experiened guide. See what you can find amoungst the reef - maybe a friendly tāmure, maybe a sleepy whai repo/eagle ray, or even practise your duck diving to spot a kōura/ crayfish!

We will also be joined by volunteers from the Tāwharanui Open Sanctuary Society (TOSSI). TOSSI will have their fabulous educational trailer on display and will be sharing info on the restoration work in the park and ecological value of the sanctuary - get tips on what to spot before taking yourself on one of the bush walks.

We will have rockpooling ID charts avaialble at the event tent and treasure hunt worksheets to help you discover the marine reserve without getting wet!

Lots to do and explore for the whole whānau!

This event is funded thanks to the Bobby Stafford Bush Foundation.

Saturday the 8th November (Back up date: 15th November)

⌚️10:00am - 3:00pm

10:00 - 11:30 - Rotation 1 - Snorkelling - This will be the highest tide for those who want to practise their duck dives!

11:30 - 13:00 - Rotation 2 - Snorkelling & Rockpooling

13:30 - 15:00 - Rotation 3 - Snorkelling & Rockpooling

Please aim to arrive 15 minutes prior to the rotation start time. When you arrive, check in at the tent. If you are running late, please call/txt 021 08357513. If you are late you may not be able to take part.

🏠 Where - Anchor Bay, Tāwharanui Regional Park, end of Takatu Rd, follow the EMR signs

https://maps.app.goo.gl/Ed63MVrV1BFEejbR6

There is free parking, however the car park can be busy so please try to carpool.

🌞 Weather call -

Conditions permitting - we will run with light rain. Postponement due to weather will be communicated via email or Eventbrite.

🎟 Registrations -

Suitable for ages 5+.

Children under 14 need an adult in the water with them

Children under 16 need to be acompanyed by an adult

Disclaimer: Online registrations are not final and do not guarantee you a space snorkelling. You must arrive on time and check in at the tent to secure your spot. On high demand days we may not be able to take everyone snorkelling - this is due to volunteer capacity.

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. The pathways to the beach involve some big steps on sand. The rockpool access requires scrambling over rocks and balance. There are individual toilets as well as changing rooms on site. You will need to travel over grass/un even ground.

What to bring -

• Swimwear/togs (required)
• Towel (required)
• Sunhat/sunglasses (recommended)
• Warm clothes (recommended)
• Rain jacket (recommended)
• Drink bottle (recommended)
• Snacks/lunch (recommended)
• Personal Medic*tion (required)
• Walking shoes (recommended)
• Shoes that can get wet for rockpooling (required)

💰 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 cancel your spot via Eventbrite ASAP if you can no longer make it. If you are feeling unwell (sore throat, running nose, loss of taste/smell) please let us know prior as soon as possible. You will not be able to attend the event. If you suffer from allergies – please let us know when you arrive.

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 ensure you get a spot and don't have a long wait! 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.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Tawharanui Marine Reserve, Anchor Bay, 1181 Takatu Road, Auckland, New Zealand