About Us

Island Bay Marine Education Centre

Explore. Discover. Learn.

The Island Bay Marine Education Centre is a not-for-profit, education facility operated by our Wellington Marine Conservation Trust.

Our main purpose is to inspire people, especially children, to learn more about Wellington's and all New Zealand's marine life and their environments.  .

For the past 26 years, we've been offering exciting, interesting, hands-on marine educational experiences for people of all ages, from pre-school children to grandparents, through our Marine Education  Open Sunday and  our Snorkelling Adventure Programmes.

The aim of all our programmes is to encourage the wise stewardship and enjoyment of our marine resources through public education programmes, live displays, and hands-on activities.

Over this period we've learned that the more people know about the marine environment, the more they want to take care of it.

Our motto is: "If you know what's there, then you'll care!"

Since opening in 1996, we’ve hosted almost one million children and adults from the Wellington and other regions of New Zealand. We currently provide our marine education programmes to over 25,000 visitors a year.

Our Centre is situated right on the shores of Cook Strait, in the middle of the Taputeranga Marine Reserve, and adjacent to one of the safest and  richest marine rocky shore habitats in New Zealand. Its seaside location and unique facilities offer everyone a chance to explore, discover and learn about some of the amazing marine life of Cook Strait without getting wet!!  Click here to see our location.

"We invite you to join us on your own journey of discovery of New Zealand's largest and most important habitat - Te Moana"

Dr Victor Anderlini - Chairman WMCT
Judy Hutt - Director

For bookings and programme enquiries, please contact us.
For general enquiries: info@octopus.org.nz
Or call us on tel: 04-3838285