Where there is a cave there we shall go...

Goat Island and the Cape Rodney to Okakari Point Marine Reserve 
When: 7 Nov 2015
4 hours paddling.

This would rate as one of the most beautiful kayaking day trips I have done. Abel Tasman may have its abundance of white sands, but this stretch of coastline, only an hours drive north of Auckland, would easily compete for beauty. Get yourself there!

The day was perfect. Summery temperatures and blue skies.We launched at Goat Island, a marine reserve just a short drive from Leigh. It's a popular spot for snorkeling and diving so be prepared for crowds. There is a loading bay, so we unloaded the kayak and gear and then parked the car back up the hill in the carpark.

But, if crowds are not your thing, never fear. After 2 minutes paddling we were free of people, and out in the expanse of blue. We then paddled out around the north side of the island.

We had read online that the island has caves, so this became our quest. And they did not disappoint. No they did not! The first cave, complete with stalactites, was simply amazing. Unfortunately somebody left the nice camera (Nikon SLR waterproof) behind, so the photos don't do it justice. Please view the photos and imagine them more amazing.

On the way in...

Kayaking into a cave is a very unique experience. Unlike walking through a cave, or being in a boat, the kayak offers something completely different. Nothing beats sitting right on water level, feeling the surge of water and looking up to the immense ceiling above. The only way I can describe it is that the cave felt alive, breathing in and out, dynamic and powerful.

 But, we were to be amazed some more. These would be the first of 8 caves in total that we explored that day. But, I get ahead of myself...

After circumnavigating the island (which took about 40mins, including cave exploration), we headed across to the Leigh coastline. We found a stony beach for lunch, complete with waterfall. I never cease to be stunned by the unexpected beauty one discovers while exploring the New Zealand coastline.

From there we paddled for a couple of hours along the most stunning coastline. We adventured our way in and out of caves, and around the many rocky outcrops. This coastline is great for 'rock gardening' - playing among the rocks. Great fun! This involves scooting between the rocks as the tidal surge pushes you along.

We had high hopes of an orca sighting, as they had been seen in the marine reserve days before. However, we had to be content with a little blue penguin.

We paddled for a couple of hours along the coast before turning around just before the Leigh township. We headed back to Goat Island as the sun was going down, casting a beautiful light over the water.

And, as if that wasn't enough beauty for the day, we discovered a sideways blow hole on Goat Island, opposite the beach!

Tips:
- This kayak trip is best when the sea is calm. And, try to aim for low tide. That way you can explore inside the caves. Watch out for swell as it can easily push you further into the cave than you might wish for.
- Give 'rock gardening' a go. Start with a wide gap between rocks, watch the swell approaching and time your entry to match it. That way you are less likely to scrape your kayak on exposed rocks. The more you do, the more confident you will feel.

Where we went:
Here is a highly accurate map of our day's paddle.