Long Island - Kokomohua Marine Reserve
Located in the Marlborough region
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Introduction
Tucked away in the Marlborough Sounds, Long Island - Kokomohua Marine Reserve is a great getaway for the whole family. Relax on a sandy beach, explore rocky reefs and admire the distinctive landscapes of the Marlborough Sounds.For boundaries, tide and other information download the MarineMate app.
Image gallery
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Divers at Long Island - Kokomohua Marine Reserve Image: Laura Allum | DOC
![Divers at Long Island - Kokomohua Marine Reserve]( "Divers at Long Island - Kokomohua Marine Reserve")
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Snorkelling in Queen Charlotte Sound. Image: Jens Hilligsoe | Creative Commons
![Snorkelling in Queen Charlotte Sound.]( "Snorkelling in Queen Charlotte Sound.")
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Dolphins at Queen Charlotte Sound Image: Jens Hilligsoe | Creative Commons
![Dolphins at Queen Charlotte Sound.]( "Dolphins at Queen Charlotte Sound.")
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Dusky dolphin Image: Jason Pratt | Creative Commons
![Dusky dolphin.]( "Dusky dolphin.")
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Long Island Image: | DOC
![Long Island.]( "Long Island.")
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Port Gore, Queen Charlotte Sound Image: Shellie Evans ©
![Port Gore, Queen Charlotte Sound]( "Port Gore, Queen Charlotte Sound")
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Queen Charlotte Sound Image: James Maddock | Creative Commons
![Queen Charlotte Sound.]( "Queen Charlotte Sound.")
Find things to do and places to stay Long Island - Kokomohua Marine Reserve
You may see a shag patiently drying its wings in the sun, or an oystercatcher wrestling with an unfortunate mussel. Black-backed gull and Caspian terns are also in abundance here.
Bring your mask and snorkel to explore the rocks close to shore. The best scuba diving is at 15 m depth, on the reefs along the north-facing shore of Long Island and around Kokomohua Islands.
If you have a kayak with you, take a trip around the islands. You may see dolphins (common, bottlenose, dusky and the rare Hector's). Seals visit too, particularly during winter.
The reserve is only accessible by a private or a charter boat. It is 35 km from Picton and can take anywhere between 30 minutes to several hours travel, depending on sea conditions and the type of boat.
There are no jetties on Long Island, but craft can land at an obvious bouldery point on the south-western shore. It is also possible to land in a bay on the island's eastern side, where concrete generator sheds remain from a World War II submarine detection system.
There are no easy landing sites on Kokomohua Island.
Boat services operate on Queen Charlotte Sound from Picton.
Places to stay
You can stay in a number of DOC campsites in the area while exploring the marine reserve. Campsites in the Queen Charlotte Sound.
Tangata whenua may access the reserve to remove nephrite and serpentine (subject to any required resource consents).
There is no affect to any person's rights of ownership in respect of the wreck “Elsie”.
Water safety
Divers and boaties should be wary of unmarked reefs, and tidal changes. Currents are particularly strong around the charted rock in the reserve's north and strong winds can quickly make the sea choppy.
If you plan to enjoy the water, learn how to stay safe when swimming, boating and fishing.
Long and Kokomohua Islands are nestled inside the entrance to Queen Charlotte Sound. They are attached to each other by a largely submerged reef, which surrounds and extends northeast from Kokomohua Island for almost 500 m.
Northeast of Kokomoua Island several rocky pinnacles rise to just below the surface from relatively deep water. Here you can see schools of fish such as butterfly perch and tarakihi, and the occasional rock lobster.
Large blue cod are abundant in the reserve and show little fear of divers, frequently biting fingers and anything else that catches their eye.
Protect our marine reserves
- No fishing of any kind.
- Don't take or kill marine life.
- Don't remove or disturb any marine life or materials.
- Don't feed fish - it disturbs their natural behaviour.
- Take care when anchoring to avoid damaging the sea floor.
Contacts
| Whakatū/Nelson Visitor Centre | |
|---|---|
| Phone | +64 3 546 9339 |
| nelsonvc@doc.govt.nz | |
| Address | Millers Acre/Taha o te Awa 1/37 Halifax Street Nelson 7010 |
| Hours | See visitor centre hours |
