Last week NZ moved to the ‘red’ traffic light for COVID, so the weekend’s community snorkel event was operating with strict protocols (vaccination passes, masks, distancing, limit on numbers). Most importantly, it was outdoors, in Island Bay at Taputeranga Marine Reserve (a 14-year-old, fully protected reserve) and organised by Mountains to Sea, with assistance from Love Rimurimu, Experiencing Marine Reserves and Places For Penguins, among others. These groups all do such amazing work around conservation and education.
I am only just getting to know the reserve, even though it’s practically on my doorstep (in previous years I would’ve considered it too cold, too wild and scary, something for more ‘outdoorsy’ people). I visited the rock pools in November for a sea sponge talk and have visited the nearby Bait House (education centre) a couple of times with the kids, but I was surprised last year to hear, while listening to Bonnie Tsui’s audiobook Why We Swim (an American book), that the marine reserve’s public snorkel trail is one of the most special in the world! That compelled me to sign up as a ‘Friend of the Reserve’ for news and events (hence attending the sea sponge talk).
It was worth getting to the snorkel event a bit early so I could be in one of the first groups in the water. There was still a to-do list beforehand – registering, scanning, safety briefing, tugging on a full-length wetsuit, being fitted for flippers and a snorkel mask – and then we were in. Walking backwards into the sea helped, as walking forwards in flippers is best left to ducks.
The incoming tide made the water a bit cloudy at first, but things cleared up as we went deeper. There were six of us in the group and our guide was new – she admitted it was her first day – and didn’t seem to know very much about the marine life, but she looked after us and luckily they’d given us a brochure so I had at least an idea of what was beneath.
And it was such a beautiful experience, gently kicking our flippers and exploring a small part of the marine reserve. Face-down and floating in cool, aqua water above swaying kelp, coral, anemones, and paua, I saw spotted fish and blue mako darting around the underwater forest.
I’m glad I didn’t take my GoPro; I would’ve struggled to carry it on top of all the snorkelling paraphernalia, and probably fiddled with the settings and taken mediocre pictures instead of being in the moment. Instead, here are some of the event photos (they belong to Mountains to Sea, who shared them on Facebook):
Because of the protocols and people waiting we could only stay in the water for about 20 minutes, so I am definitely keen to return to see more. It was a great (and free) introduction to safe snorkelling in Wellington. In Ye Olde Pre-Covid Days, I snorkelled in Great Barrier Reef, Fiji and Rarotonga, and once or twice at beaches in Wellington, but not at the marine reserve. This was my first organised event and I learned where to snorkel and how to do it safely. Next time I go, I will take a friend or two with me.
After shedding all the gear (wetsuit off! breathing normally!), I bought a Love Rimurimu (seaweed) t-shirt with all the different local seaweed names in English and Māori. Isn’t it cool? Seaweed is a vital part of our marine ecosystems because it absorbs carbon emissions and provides food and shelter for other sea life. It’s also edible!