Stingray Tours at Tatapouri Bay, a Gisborne Attraction
Join a tour with Dive Tatap0uri just 10 minutes north of Gisborne to learn about the ecology of the area and discover the array of marine life lurking in the reef’s shallows. while immersing yourself in the local culture and magical marine surroundings of New Zealand’s East Coast.
Reef Ecology Tour
Price: $55 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 renowned for its interactive reef tour with wild stingrays, eagle rays and a host of other fish species. geared up and kitted up in waterproof waders you’ll walk the reef at low tide to see close up stingrays and a multitude of other reefs-dwellers including yellowtail kingfish, trevally, kahawai, crayfish, octopus and conger eel. and a certain times of year its an idyllic snorkelling experience with wild stingrays in their natural environment.
Whanau (family) is a huge part of our operation with our children, nephews and nieces encouraged to become part of our team showcasing our products and our location in Gisborne.
We have tried to retain a natural look to our facility by using sustainable timbers and recycled timbers along with the natural sand and stone of the coast helping to capture a unique base to welcome and host our visitors to begin their experience.
Dive Tatapouri – Reef Ecology Tour
Price: $55 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
• 
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)
