Respecting the reserve
What can you do at Cook Island Aquatic Reserve?
Cook Island Aquatic Reserve is a special place for people to enjoy and appreciate marine life.
You can:
- Swim, snorkel, scuba dive or take underwater photographs
- Watch birds and whales (May to November)
- Take a guided tour with local snorkelling or diving operators
- Fish in the outer zone only, except by set-line, in accordance with NSW fishing rules and regulations
Refer to the FishSmart NSW app.
What can't you do at Cook Island Aquatic Reserve?
To help conserve marine life in Cook Island Aquatic Reserve please follow the rules:
Don’t:
❌ fish by any method in the inner zone or attempt to do so
❌ collect, remove or damage marine animals or plants whether alive or dead (including shells) in the inner zone or attempt to do so
❌ touch, chase, move or disturb marine animals or plants, including interfering with swimming patterns
❌ feed fish or other marine animals by any method
❌ turn over or move rocks
❌anchor on reef or in seagrass. If anchoring is necessary, only anchor in sand
❌land on the island. It is a protected seabird nesting site.
Dead plants and animals provide important habitat and food for other marine life. For example, hermit crabs use old shells for protection, and dead seaweed provides food and shelter.
Cook Island itself is a nature reserve, and landing on the island is not permitted. For more information, contact the National Parks and Wildlife Service on (02) 6670 8600.
All local boat ramps have signs explaining the rules.
Tour operators using Cook Island Aquatic Reserve follow a Code of Conduct to help protect the reserve.
How can you help protect the reserve?
✅ Follow the rules and best practice advice.
✅ Use the moorings provided to protect coral and seagrass.
✅ Take your litter with you.
✅ Respect other people using this area.
✅ Report illegal activities, problems or information
✅ Become a citizen scientist:
- Sightings of aquatic threatened species:
- Redmap (Range Extension Database & Mapping project) invites the Australian community to spot, log and map marine species that are uncommon in Australia, or along particular parts of our coast.
- Right Whale ID Program: This NSW National Parks and Wildlife Services program relies on highly trained volunteers to identify rare Southern Right Whales through drone footage.
- Citizen Science: Ocean Education & Conservation
Visitors accessing the Sanctuary Zone of Cook Island Aquatic Reserve for boating, snorkelling or diving are encouraged to learn the rules and best-practice advice for this area.
Key tips for protecting marine life in the Sanctuary Zone
- Admire marine life with your eyes only — avoid touching anything, whether alive or dead (including shells).
- Maintain a respectful distance from marine animals. Observe without pursuing, herding, obstructing their path or disturbing them.
- Use the moorings provided to protect corals, rocky reefs and seagrasses — anchoring damages these important habitats.
- Keep vessel speed under 4 knots and avoid motoring between Cook Island and the moorings to ensure safety of people in the water and prevent wildlife strikes.
- Enjoy Cook Island from a distance — do not land on the island or stand on the surrounding reef.
- Avoid standing, walking or resting on rocks, coral or marine life. Do not hold or grip rocks or coral for support when taking photographs or resting.
- Take care where you place your fins and secure loose equipment such as cameras, gauges and torches.
- To help marine animals maintain natural behaviour, do not feed them.
- Minimise the use of flash or bright lights, especially at night, to reduce stress on wildlife.
- Choose eco-friendly sunscreen and reduce its use by wearing protective clothing
- Sea Turtle code of conduct
Together, we can protect and enjoy the marine life of Cook Island Aquatic Reserve.
Your actions help conserve this unique marine environment. By following these guidelines, we ensure Cook Island Aquatic Reserve remains a home for marine life and a place for all visitors to enjoy.
