Date/Time
Date(s) - 24/10/2025 - 27/10/2025
12:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location
Motukawanui Island Scenic Reserve
Spaces Left 0
Booked 12
Pending 1
📅 Dates: Friday 24 4pm – Monday 27 October 2025 3pm (Labour Weekend).
📍 Location: Matauri Bay & Motukawanui Island, Northland
👥 Spots: 12
Join us for an epic long weekend of freediving, spearfishing, hiking, cooking and chill island life on the remote Motukawanui Island Scenic Reserve in the Cavalli Islands.
Motukawanui Island Scenic Reserve, the largest of the Cavalli Islands, is a stunning spot for a freediving getaway. The clear, sheltered waters are home to colourful reefs, marine life, and plenty of interesting underwater terrain to explore. Between dives, you can relax on quiet beaches, wander through native bush, and soak up the peaceful surroundings. It’s the kind of place where you might spot dolphins cruising past or stingrays gliding over the sand. With its mix of great diving conditions and beautiful scenery, Motukawanui is perfect for a trip that’s as relaxing above the water as it is exciting below.
🗓️ Itinerary Overview
FRIDAY 24 OCT – ARRIVAL & CROSSING
- 🚗 Drive to Matauri Bay (approx. 4 hours from Auckland – need to leave Auckland by 12 latest; car pooling encouraged).
- 🕓 IMPORTANT: Must arrive Matauri Bay Friday 24th Oct by 4:00 PM latest — you’ll need to take the afternoon off work
- ⛴️ Cross to Motukawanui Island (20 min water taxi)
- 🍽️ Group dinner at the Motukawanui DOC Hut
- 🛌 Overnight in DOC hut (We have booked out the whole hut just for AFC!)
SATURDAY 25 OCT – MOTUKAWANUI ISLAND EXPLORATION
- 🤿 Freediving Depth Sessions
- 🧘🏽♀️Freediving Dry Training, Stretching and Yoga
- 🐟 Spearfishing and Line Fishing
- 🥾 Hiking Motukawanui
- 🔥 Evening BBQ
- 🛌 Overnight in DOC hut
SUNDAY 26 OCT – CAVALLI ISLANDS BOAT TRIP
- 🚤 Full-day boat trip around the Cavalli Islands with Paihia Dive
- 🐠 Dive, depth training, spearfish, explore, repeat
- 🌅 BBQ dinner back on Motukawanui
- 🛌 Overnight in DOC hut
MONDAY 27 OCT – BACK TO THE MAINLAND
- 🐟 Spearfishing, dry training, yoga & chill time
- 🕓 Depart island by 3:00 PM (boat)
- 🚗 Return to Auckland — expected arrival by 8:00 PM
💸 Budget & Booking Info
- 💰Total Cost: $375 per person (excluding club subsidy).
- 💵 Purchase a ticket here on the website to secure your spot.
- $200 non-refundable deposit required to secure your space.
- First in, first served. Only 12 people can fit in the Hut and on the charter boat on Sunday. Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity!
- Since this is an AFC Event, it is possible to use one of your 3 Event Subsidies per year if you are a full annual club member. You will be able to claim $50 towards this event by logging into our website or just click the link directly here <https://aucklandfreediving.co.nz/subsidy/>
- 💳 Full payment due: End of September. Either $125 or $175 depending whether you applied for the club subsidy.
- Need to Cancel? No refunds unless you or the club can resell your ticket. AFC is not profiting from this event.
🔍 Notes on Costs:
- Return Water taxi Friday Afternoon and Monday afternoon: $84 per person
- Boat Trip (Sunday): $215 per person and includes transport between dive sites around the Cavalli Islands.
- Accommodation DOC hut: $75 per person for 3 nights
- Subsidy: AFC is contributing $50 per person to help reduce costs for the annual members of the Club.
- Groceries: Food is not included in the price! We will confirm whether we do group grocery shopping (shared cost) or ask everyone to bring their own meals.
- Transport to Matauri bay: Not included in the event. We encourage car sharing for those coming from Auckland.
🛏️ Accommodation – DOC Hut
We’ll be staying at the Department of Conservation (DOC) hut located on Motukawanui Island, right in the heart of the Cavalli Islands Marine Reserve.
- Rustic and scenic accommodation in a remote, wild setting
- Shared sleeping space – mattresses provided (bring your own sleeping bag & pillow)
Access to basic facilities (long-drop toilet, water tank – boil before use) - Limited capacity with Only 12 beds in the hut!
The hut offers a perfect base for exploring the island, with diving spots, trails, and beautiful beaches just a short walk away.
🧳 What to Bring
- Full freediving gear (mask, fins, wetsuit, weights)
- Food & drinks (or contribute to group grocery plan – TBC)
- Torch/headlamp, warm clothes, and sleeping gear
- Hiking Gear and good shoes!
- Yoga mat & Oximeter
- Good vibes & sense of adventure
🪜Next steps
Keen to join? Pay the Deposit and request the Club Subsidy ASAP! Spots are limited.
- Pay Deposit $200** now to secure your spot. Limited to 12 spots. **Once you click on Paypall at the bottom of this page, it will say you are attending this event. You will need to click Manage my bookings to finalise the payment 🙂
- Apply for the club event subsidy. You find the link to this form on ‘Members Only’ page if you’re logged into our website or just click the link directly here: Subsidy Application | Auckland Freediving Club <https://aucklandfreediving.co.nz/subsidy/>
- Once all subsidies are confirmed, we will open the second payment window.
- EITHER Pay remaining $125 if you have applied for your club credit subsidy
- OR Pay remaining $175.
Bookings
This event is fully booked.