View of the mouth of Te Matuku Bay and shell spit
Te Matuku Marine Reserve (690-hectares) protects one of Waiheke Island's largest and least disturbed estuaries and an area outside Te Matuku Bay in the Waiheke Channel.
Te Matuku Bay has many special features. Protected areas on land link native bush with coastal wetlands to the sea. It's one of the few intact estuarine systems like this left in northern New Zealand.
Diverse habitats include saltwater wetlands, broad intertidal mudflats, low lying islands, shell spits, rocky shorelines and the deep water of the Waiheke Channel around Passage Rock. Each of these distinct marine habitats provide homes for particular groups of plants and animals.
Learn about the many marine habitats found in Te Matuku Marine Reserve including saltwater wetlands, broad intertidal mudflats, low-lying islands, shell spits, rocky shorelines and the deep water of the Waiheke Channel around Passage Rock.
People are welcome to visit the Te Matuku Marine Reserve to picnic, swim, snorkel, dive, take photos, kayak and watch birds.
There are a range of places to stay on Waiheke Island.
Make sure you’re aware of all rules that apply to visiting Te Matuku Marine Reserve.
DOC is monitoring the changes in the Te Matuku Marine Reserve. In this section you can review some of the results of this monitoring programme.
NZ weather
New Zealand topographic maps are available from DOC Visitor Centres
Stop the spread of didymo
Check, Clean, Dry all items before entering, and when moving between, waterways.
Safety information
Always contact the nearest visitor centre for the latest information about facilities and conditions.
