Tonga Island Marine Reserve

In the air and shore

On the sandy foreshores you might find variable and pied oystercatchers and spotted Shags roosting on the rocks and trees.

Around the rocky shores you will see New Zealand fur seal/kekeno, the elusive Grey Reef heron/matuku moana, as well as colonies of spotted shag/parekareka on the cliff and pied shags/kāruhiruhi in the trees.

At sea you might find red billed and black backed gulls, white fronted and Caspian tern/taranui, fluttering and sooty shearwaters, and spectacular gannets diving for small bait fish over schools of kahawai, kingfish and snapper.

Under the waves

The beaches are scattered with clues of what lies beneath the water. You'll find horse mussels, whelks, bryozoans, oysters and heart urchins. 

Beneath the waves, the snorkeller will see a moonscape of granite boulder reef, occasional seaweeds and coarse sand. Blue cod, blue and red moki, triplefins and spotties are prolific. The rocks host a range of invertebrates, such as reef stars, cup corals and kina, and you might see one of the monster crayfish/kōura that inhabit the reef crevices.

Over the sand you will see eagle rays, yellow eyed mullet and even mantis shrimp waiting to ambush their prey.

If you’re lucky you might spot common, Hector’s, bottlenose, and dusky dolphins, and even the occasional orca can be found travelling through the reserve.

Remember to look but don’t take.

Keep your vessel clean and pest free 

To stop any further spread make sure your boat hull is clean before travelling to other parts of the Sounds and regularly maintain your antifouling system.

Ideally there should be no more than a slime layer at any time. If you think you have found something unusual in the marine environment, call the MPI Hotline 0800 809 966. 

Information on invasive marine organisms 

The best snorkelling is among the rocks between Tonga Quarry and Foul Point. 

Diving is most rewarding on the reefs around Tonga Island or in the north of the reserve. 

Stay safe in the water - Read more about Water and boating safety.

Kayaking rock-pooling and picnicking around the golden sandy coves at Tonga Island Marine Reserve is an idyllic way to spend a day. Canoeing is not recommended.