From the classroom to the moana in a single day.Ocean Discovery Day takes ākonga into the real thing: a sheltered Bay of Islands bay where they snorkel and freedive over living reef, guided by professional instructors. For many rangatahi it's the first time they've put their face in the ocean and truly looked — and it changes how they see the moana for good.Who it's forYear 7 and up, minimum 25 ākonga (one full class — two classes work brilliantly). Ideal as a stand-alone EOTC highlight or the next step after a pool day. A marine reserve option is available for classes studying ecosystems and kaitiakitanga.What ākonga learn Snorkel and freedive fundamentals — equalising, duck-diving, relaxed finning The food web, full circle — from plankton and kina to tāmure and kekeno, and where rays, sharks and dolphins fit in Reading the ocean — conditions, entry and exit points, respect for the moana Buddy culture — one up, one down, always watching each other The day shapeMorning classroom brief covering safety, technique and the ecology of what we'll see; then we move to a sheltered bay for guided in-water sessions in small groups, with warm-up breaks and kōrero on the beach about what's living below. Most days run in the Bay of Islands near our Paihia base, with marine reserve options and — for experienced senior groups — trips toward the Cavalli Islands. We close with a debrief that ties what ākonga felt and saw back to their learning.Price$80 per ākonga + GST — minimum 25 ākonga ($2,000 + GST minimum per trip). Covers planning, H&S paperwork, trained in-water and shore support to ratio, all gear and its full sterilisation, and travel. Invoiced to the school — registering interest costs nothing and holds your term dates.Safety & ratiosOpen water runs at 1:4 instructor-to-student in the water plus a dedicated lookout on shore or kayak. Year 8 and below work to a 1:2 adult-to-student benchmark. Buddy system always, wetsuits mandatory, oxygen and first aid on site for every activity, and all kaimahi Children's Act safety checked. Our Safety Management System is externally audited and available on request. The full EOTC School Pack — provider agreement, RAMS and instructor qualifications — is sent on registration.What your kura providesA liaison teacher contactable 24 hours, behaviour and pastoral care of ākonga, health and behaviour profiles two weeks ahead, parent helpers to ratio, and transport to the bay.FundingEOTC budgets, Gateway, STAR, Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa, Water Safety NZ, and enviro or creative grants all fund days like this. Ask us — we've seen what works.Next stepRegister interest below (no charge) or kōrero with Sacha — [email protected] / WhatsApp.
