Youth Snorkelling

Summer 2025/26 Registrations are open

Two dates are scheduled -6th Dec and 11th Jan 2026

This season we are offering a two day Snorkelling course conducted by Epic Scuba where the children will learn how to snorkel in a safe environment and gather tips from their instructor on safety while having fun.

If you are interested your child will need to attend both days 6th Dec and 11th Jan and participate fully in the days to gain their SSI level one certificate in snorkelling. 

Age ranges 8-11 & 12-15yrs

Location: Enclosure Bay, Waiheke Island

There is no cost for this course, thanks to our funding partner, Air New Zealand

Equipment, including wetsuits is supplied

(The April 2025 event is a seperate special event which is currently being planned).

If this sounds like a great adventure then please click below to register your expression.

Please indicate in your message the following infomation:

  • Parent / Caregivers name:

  • Parent / Caregivers phone number:

  • Parent / Caregivers email address:

  • Address:

  • Childs name:

  • Child's age as of 15 December 2025

  • The email address is regendive@waihekemarineproject.org

Email expressions of interest here

Photo taken at Enclosure Bay during a 2023/24 Waiheke Marine Project Youth Snorkel event.

The 2025/6 programme has been made possible by support from Air New Zealand

Getting Rangatahi and young people into the water around Waiheke Island

Learn how to snorkel and explore the Waiheke Coastline and earn your skin divers certificate with Epic Scuba. 

Designed in collaboration with the Waiheke Marine Project, this programme is set to get rangatahi and young people in to the water around Waiheke Island. Giving them the confidence to enjoy the beautiful Waiheke coastline and the skills to keep themselves and their friends safe while doing so. At the end of the programme, they will have achieved their first SSI certification, and will be awarded the qualification of SSI Skin Divers!

They will learn about the Waiheke coastal ecosystem - from what life we find here on the sandy / rocky shores, through to some of the threats that Tīkapa moana is facing, and some of the ongoing work being done to restore the moana to its whole glory. 

Important Info:

  • Participants need to attend all 2 dates

  • The Morning Session is for ages 8 to 11 and runs from 9am to 12

  • Afternoon Session is for ages 12-15 and runs from 12 to 4pm

Tamariki/rangatahi will need to commit to both dates in order to complete the programme.

Check here for the full Calendar of Events

Looking back over the previous 5 week programme...

The rangatahi learnt about the Waiheke coastal ecosystem - from what life can be found on the sandy / rocky shores, through to some of the threats faced by Tīkapa moana, and some of the ongoing work being done to restore the moana to its whole glory. All the senior rōpu [group] achieved their first PADI certification, and were awarded the qualification of PADI Skin Divers! The junior rōpu [group] had one lesson postponed due to poor wind conditions and completed their Skin Divers qualification in February 2022.

We are planning to run this program again this Summer 2023 as part of our expanded Regen Dive Programme so keep an eye out on our events page for more information.

Back in 2021

In December 2021 this programme was designed in collaboration with the Waiheke Dive & Snorkel Shop. The aim was to get rangatahi and young people into the water around Waiheke Island. Giving them the confidence to enjoy the beautiful Waiheke coastline and the skills to keep themselves and their friends safe while doing so.

NPKW sponsored 9 Rangatahi (5 x 8yrs to 12 years, 4 x 13yrs - yrs) to participate in this programme over the summer, with much success!

Q & A with a Tyrone Anderson

1. What was the [purpose of the] youth snorkle programme?

To teach me how to dive and help build my confidence. As well as meet new people .

2. What have you learnt from the programme?

Different Sea creatures, teaching me how to dive with confidence and not making me fear the ocean.. Helping me with different breathing techniques. I would like to learn how to tank dive

3. What was the coolest thing you saw while snorkeling?

A Diamond stingray

4. What did you see/hear/feel while you were there?

Saw an abyss of calming and soothing water, hear.... nothing! Feel just a bit of cold and fear sometimes.