Goat Island Marine Discovery Centre
Goat Island Marine Discovery Centre
Goat Island Marine Discovery Centre
4.5
About
The Goat Island Marine Discovery Centre educates visitors about the marine environment & the research activities of the Institute of Marine Science at the University of Auckland. The interactive displays are great fun & provide a wealth of information about the marine environment. The Goat Island Marine Discovery Centre is suitable for all ages and makes for a great family day out.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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4.5
39 reviews
Excellent
27
Very good
10
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2
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0
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PatMacnz64
Omokoroa Beach, New Zealand536 contributions
Aug 2022
It's very educational about the plankton, fish, dolphins, and whales in the surrounding area there are great informative displays as well as videos to watch and microscopes to view, and even hands-on interaction. There are toilets on site and a friendly woman at the front desk to welcome you and answer any questions that you may have. It's only open on Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm and costs $9 per adult $7 for seniors and $5 for children which is value for money. It's only 250 meters up the pathway. There is no parking but it's possible to drop everyone at the door and drive back down to park. It's a great place to take the children as there is also somewhere to color in a fish as well as there being a small souvenir shop on site. The admission charge goes back into the center so it is a good cause to further educate everyone but our oceans and marine reserve. I highly recommend taking a look especially for families.
Written 14 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vic
Whangarei, New Zealand14 contributions
Feb 2022 • Couples
We found this place on a very wet Monday and what a gem. It’s a wonderful place to spend a few hours and come out much better educated about it oceans and the creatures in it!
Written 6 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
oceansnz
41 contributions
Jan 2022 • Couples
Wonderful to have a marine reserve and research centre in NZ. The centre guide was brilliant, showing us the microscope and sealife points of interest (so amazing) and talking with us about environmental issues, problems and some of the brilliant innovative ideas coming from NZ and worldwide. Eg learning from sea creatures to create innovations in concrete that mean buildings can be made with less steel, and made stronger with more flexibility. And, we loved the no plastic water bottle invocation (that looks exactly like plastic). Also very happy to hear the Government is extending the marine reserve. Thank you for all your hard work!
Written 12 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hila
Tauranga, New Zealand59 contributions
Jun 2021 • Family
Our 8 year old had fun at the touch tank, timing a sea star flipping over, looking at the microscope. The one staff on duty was lovely, kind and helpful. The adults enjoyed reading about the animals, oceans etc on display. The DOC beach down below is lovely. Beautiful views.
Written 14 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JaneB57
Whangarei, New Zealand38 contributions
Oct 2020
For a 5 and 65 year old duo this place was equally enthralling and we struggled to leave, which was only due to being very hungry. Lots of fine memories, we are returning soon.
Written 30 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Foodie4food
Auckland, New Zealand237 contributions
Aug 2020 • Couples
This was such a wonderful morning outing for my elderly and mobility impaired parents !
Their is a disabled park right outside the facility making this on a wet and windy day such an easy activity .
They loved the large simple signage and activities and said the trip a highlight of our weekend in Omaha .
Would be super fun for families with younger children 5+ with some hands on exploratory fun ,and I still wish we had somehow managed to get a photo of ourselves in the very cute “shark jaws” bean bags !
Staff in hand were very understanding and engaged in sharing and helping with further information . A definite must .
Other visits up here usually see us take a active short coastal walk again which would burn up some time and energy with young ones .
Their is a disabled park right outside the facility making this on a wet and windy day such an easy activity .
They loved the large simple signage and activities and said the trip a highlight of our weekend in Omaha .
Would be super fun for families with younger children 5+ with some hands on exploratory fun ,and I still wish we had somehow managed to get a photo of ourselves in the very cute “shark jaws” bean bags !
Staff in hand were very understanding and engaged in sharing and helping with further information . A definite must .
Other visits up here usually see us take a active short coastal walk again which would burn up some time and energy with young ones .
Written 1 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Emily D
New Zealand7 contributions
Jan 2020
Small but well presented building full of interactive displays and information. We may have been lucky to visit at a good time because we were there when a temporary resident octopus was being fed. We took our kids aged 6 and 9 before we went out snorkeling and it was a good compliment to that experience. We ended up staying much longer than I thought we would.
Written 5 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Meander17038434384
Auckland, New Zealand2 contributions
Jul 2019
I brought a large group of seniors up from Auckland. There was something for everyone. It was a very wet day, but there was a warm welcome and lots to see and talk about. We enjoyed the talking with the friendly young marine biologists, and learnt a lot about the ecology of the local coastline. The only complaint on the way home was that everyone wished that they could have stayed longer. Many are already planning a return visit with grandchildren. This is a great place for a visit.
Written 25 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bob F
Machu Picchu, Peru159 contributions
Jan 2019 • Couples
Excellent insights into the research activities. Good place to take children to help them understand the importance of our seas.
Written 21 January 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tracey C
11 contributions
Jan 2019 • Family
Reasonably priced at $27 for 2ad, 3chn. Small building but so informative. So much for all the kids (9-16yrs) to do, the microscope with live and dead items was a fave. Friendly staff who immediately came out to the touch tank and gave a very informative talk on all it’s marine life and aut research. Kids loved watching the octopus open a container and looking at the carpet sharks i side their eggs. Alot of places don’t give kids the time of day but here staff were patient, enthusiastic and answered the millions of questions they had.
Written 11 January 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Claim your listingGOAT ISLAND MARINE DISCOVERY CENTRE: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Goat Island Marine Discovery Centre
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