Swim 4 the Ocean

If you support the health of our ocean sign this petition

Before Whangamatā Island Tours even started we got a call to support Jonno Ridler’s Swim 4 the Ocean event. Jono received a warm Whangamatā welcome that included a swim into Whenuakura Wildlife Sanctuary.

Watch Jonno swim into Whenuakura Wildlife Sanctuary (Donut Island), Whangamatā.

Jonno Riddlers 1367 km swim is the longest unassisted staged swim in history. New Zealand’s maritime territory is 15 times its landmass but we only protect 0.4% of it.

Behind the scenes with local legends. Swim 4 the Ocean caught up with kaitiaki, Errol Gilbert, and ecologist, Andy Warneford, to capture their story on the island restoration in Whangamatā

Why Swim 4 the Ocean?

Quite simply - to protect it. Jonno’s efforts  have drawn attention to the poor health of the marine environment, building public support for stronger ocean protection. It took Jonno over 468 hours swimming the length of Te Ika a Maui, New Zealand’s North Island. You can make a difference in 30 seconds by adding your name and email to this petition

Live Ocean

Live Ocean backed Jonno all the way. Founded by champion sailors Blair Tuke and Peter Burling, Live Ocean believes the ocean is the greatest ally in the fight for a healthy planet. They are engaging communities, driving innovation and using science and mātauranga Māori, knowledge built on generations of observation and experience, to help understand and protect the moana.

Connecting to Whangamatā 

Jonno was welcomed by locals in a gathering that celebrated the ocean and people who care for it. Whangamatā Ocean Swimmers, Surf Life Saving Club and Tunaiti Kaitiaki Roopu joined Whangamatā Island Tours in a special swim into Whenuakura - Donut Island, a designated wildlife sanctuary and one of the most iconic coastal features of the Coromandel Peninsula. Swimming into the lagoon of Whenuakura highlighted what Swim 4 the Ocean is about — protecting unique coastal ecosystems.

Once you have signed the petition, pencil in a date to visit these special islands on the Coromandel’s Pacific Coast.