Events and news: March 2010

There's always something happening in the Leigh area, whether you want to dive, snorkel, fish outside the marine reserve or just swim and laze on the beaches.
Now is the time for a weekday or weekend get away and Leigh is the perfect place to stay. Try one of the many bed & breakfast rooms, the motel, one of the camping grounds or other options.
The water is now 22 degrees. so you have no excuse not to get wet!
See our growing list of dolphin and whale sightings around Leigh or come and visit and let us know what you have seen.
March will be busy with the opening of Seaweek at Goat Island, several weddings in the area and the usual gigs at the Leigh Sawmill. The Leigh Fishing Contest is sure to attract plenty of fishers and proceeds go to a good cause.
If you're coming to fish off your boat, make sure you know where the marine reserve boundaries are or you could lose your fishing gear and boat!
Check out the following You Tube video and watch the fishes swimming at Goat Island Marine Reserve - Click Here!

Leigh Sawmill Café

OPEN THURSDAY 12 - LATE, FRIDAY-SUNDAY 10AM - LATE

13 Mar The SING SONGS with BEAR CAT and the GLAD EYES
19 Mar NATHAN HAINES
20 Mar SALON KINGSADORE
27 Mar THE EASTERN FAMILY with LINDON PUFFIN, REB FOUNTAIN + JAIME REGAN
28 Mar UNI AND HER UKULELE + MEREDITH AXELROD

Seaweek 2010

Postponed to March 13th
(March 6th cancelled due to weather forecast predicting 3m swell)
10am - 1pm

  • Come and explore the wonders of the marine reserve at Goat Island.
  • Free guided snorkelling sessions will run from the beach. Wetsuit, mask, snorkel and fins provided.
  • Families welcome - all children 15 and under need to be accompanied by an adult.
  • 9.30am Seaweek Special - Glass Bottom Boat 50% discount on this trip only. Bookings essential and conditions apply. www.glassbottomboat.co.nz

Leigh Fishing Contest

March 13th

Tickets - Senior (15yrs and over) $30
Tickets - Junior (14 yrs and under) $10
Price includes complimentary hangi dinner

For more information Phone Jackie 09 425 1130 or 021 425 388

Whale and Dolphin Sightings

January 11th A Bryde's whale surfaced several times near the glass bottom boat at Goat Island giving the passengers an unexpected bonus! The next boat load of passengers saw a pod of 30 bottlenose dolphins.
January 6th At 6pm a pod of orca moved past Goat Island and around the Leigh coast.
January 1st - Dolphins arrived early 6am and just passed through Goat Island.
December 25th Another pod of bottlenose dolphins played in the bay for 4 hours.
December 17th - Dolphins seen near Cape Rodney early in the morning.
December 16th Bottlenose dolphins stayed at Goat Island for several hours interacting with snorkellers and kayakers.
December - Numerous dolphin and whales sightings around Leigh.
November 26th Bottlenose dolphins played around snorkellers just off the beach at Goat Island for several hours - wow!
November 13th A pod of orca were seen passing Goat Island and Cape Rodney.
November 7th A pod of orca moved through Goat Island and along the Leigh coast and a large number of visitors enjoyed watching the group.
October 24th Three bottlenose dolphins spotted near Leigh Harbour.
October 19th A pair of humpback whales seen in Omaha Bay and 3 bottlenose dolphins spotted near Whangateau Harbour entrance.
October 11th Bryde's whales seen feeding near Omaha Bay.

Visitors' Comments:

On A Coastal Leigh B & B - we loved our stay. It was perfect, just what we needed after a very busy few weeks. The view of the ocean and the blossoming Pohutakawa trees from lying in bed was spectacular, the chocolate (great touch) + breakfast was delicious, and the fresh coffee was very much appreciated in the morning. We will definitely be recommending to our friends, and if we are ever back up at beautiful Leigh we hope to see you again.
All the best with your new venture! Kate and Sam

On Glass Bottom Boat - Thank you for the amazing knowledge of the crew . . .
our children 8 and 4 were totally amazed by the nature both above the water and below. Us too!! We will be back!! Best wishes

On Discover Goat Island B & B "Thanks you for your hospitality. The room was very comfortable and we are both looking forward to coming back and diving the island." Regards Warwick
On Glass bottom boat. We came up and did the boat ride this afternoon. We all enjoyed it....great value for money and Ivan has so much knowledge of the area. He is a wonderful host. We will recommend this trip to friends and family visiting the region. Thanks Glenda (Auckland)
On Island View Bed & Breakfast "Thank you so much for such a wonderful place to stay.  The view is absolutely amazing."  Angel and Rachel from Italy

On Discover Goat Island B & B  "A perfect place to come and relax."  Pip (UK) and Gerard (Auckland)

On Arapawa Farmstay… "Many thanks for a lovely weekend. We have raved on about our stay in the Leigh area (there is so much to do) and have referred friends to your farmstay.” Giselle, USA

On Discover Goat Island "Great stay, lovely room, and thanks for the trip to The Outpost - wish we could stay longer!"  Abby & Jon, Surrey

On Tera del Mar… “What a magical place you have created! While the scenery is beautiful, you have made it so much more, with all of the little touches, fireplaces, comfy beds, spa pool, flowers, etc. We feel ready to tackle the City & our children again!” John & Nicky, Auckland

On Tera del Mar… “It doesn’t get much more idyllic than this! We really enjoyed our stay and only wish we had planned a longer visit. Thank you for making us feel so welcomed … the food was delicious & eating breakfast on the veranda was something we shall always remember.” Hazel & Michael, England