Stingray Tours at Tatapouri Bay, a Gisborne Attraction
Join a trip with Dive Tatapouri, which is located just 10 minutes north of Gisborne, to learn about the ecology of the region and to see the variety of marine species that can be found in the shallows of the reef. during which you may immerse yourself in the local culture and stunning maritime surroundings of New Zealand’s East Coast, which is a unique experience.
Reef Ecology Tour
Price: $60 per person – Children $20 pp (Aged 16 & under)
Tours Depart: Various times to suit tides on the day (see tour times when booking)
Duration: 1.5 Hours
Dive Tatapouri is well-known for its interactive reef tours with wild stingrays, eagle rays, and a variety of other fish species. Wearing waterproof waders, you’ll stroll the reef at low tide to witness stingrays and a variety of other reef dwellers such as yellowtail kingfish, trevally, kahawai, crayfish, octopus, and conger eel. It’s also an amazing snorkelling experience with wild stingrays in their native surroundings at certain times of year.
Whanau (family) is an important aspect of our business, with our children, nephews, and nieces invited to join our team, exhibiting our goods and our Gisborne location.
We sought to keep our facility looking natural by using sustainable and recycled woods, as well as natural sand and stone from the ocean, to create a one-of-a-kind base to greet and accommodate our tourists as they begin their journey.
Dive Tatapouri – Reef Ecology Tour
Price: $60 per person – Children $20 pp (Aged 16 & under)
Tours Depart: Various times to suit tides on the day (see tour times when booking)
Duration: 1.5 Hours
Our interactive Reef Ecology tour is famous for its interaction with Wild Stingrays in their natural environment and is one of the most popular and unique things to do in New Zealand. Our knowledge guides will walk you across the reef to meet the Tamariki (Children) of Tangaroa the Maori God of the sea. Whilst meeting the residents of the reef our guides will provide insightful information about the different species you may encounter.
Once you’ve been kitted out in our designer waders, you’ll embark on a reef tour at low tide with our experienced guides. During your Reef Ecology tour, you’ll have the opportunity to observe and interact with the natural inhabitants and numerous fish species of Tatapouri bay under the guidance of our guides.
What to Expect from our Tatapouri Bay Reef Tour?
The Reef Ecology tour is a walk over the reef at low tide, you are kitted out in waders to keep you dry. When arriving at the drop off (similar to scenes from the movie Finding Nemo) you stand in the water whilst our resident Short Tail Stingrays and Eagle Ray Stingrays and other reef dwellers swim around at your feet. Let Pancake and Waffle two of our Short Tail stingrays sit on your feet and wait for a gentle stroke, hard to imagine that Stingrays are perceived to be dangerous.
During the Reef Ecology tour, you’ll have the opportunity to observe and interact with the Stingrays, Eagle Rays, Kingfish and other reef dwellers under the guidance our guides. The guides will provide information about the local inhabitants who live on the reef. The marine life on our reef is not enclosed all animals are free to come and go.
You’ll also learn about local legends of Tairawhiti Gisborne and gain an insight into some of the methods once used by Maori to manage their natural resource.
Reef Ecology Tour – Essential Information
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Our reef tours are suitable for all ages.
• Bookings are essential – our reef tours are popular!and are run around the low tides daily.
• Waders are provided by Dive Tatapouri please note our waders only go to shoe size 13 and waist size 18.
• Reef tour times depend on tides and weather and sea conditions.
• Allow up to an hour and half for the Reef Ecology Tour including check in.
• Large groups can be accommodated by prior arrangement.
• Pack your waterproof camera – you’ll need it!
All tours run from our beachfront location 15mins drive from the city of Tairawhiti Gisborne
Not suitable for people with limited mobility (check with us if you are unsure)
