Island Bay Marine Education Centre

26/09/2026

Something fishy’s going on @ the Bait House………..

It’s Day One of the dreaded School Holidays and you’re desperately searching for something that’s fun, hands-on and, heck maybe even educational, to entertain your adorable little sprats.

Look no further – it’s Bait House Sunday.

But only until 3 o’clock.

Better hurry.

GUARANTEE: The Bait House is a Donald the Orange Roughy free space.

26/09/2026

There’s a MOUSE @ the Bait House!!!

Luca found the Bait House Mouse.

It’s actually a SEA Mouse.

Genus Aphrodita (according to Luca). See – that’s what happens when you have a Marine Biologist in da House.

It’s named after the Greek Godess of Love, Aphrodite, for reasons I won’t go into here because, well ….just google it.

The other version of the name Sea Mouse is (duh) because it looks like a wet, bedraggled House Mouse.

Luca says They are quite strange but cute worms which hunt other small sea creatures in the sand.

Caveat emptor if you’re planning on visiting the Bait House on Sunday to marvel at the Sea Mouse: Luca says it'll probably spend most of the time buried in sand although it might pop out and about from time to time!

DISCLAIMER
No mice were harmed in the fabrication of this very important scientific report.

P.S. For those of you who are googling Caveat emptor – See – you learn something new every day. Curiosity didn’t kill the cat – it made the cat smarter.

25/09/2026

Looking for something fun to do on the first Sunday of the school holidays?

Somewhere out of the RAIN?

Somewhere educational and quirky?

Somewhere that makes you believe that Octopuses can do magic tricks like squeezing through an impossibly tiny hole?

Come to the Bait House.

The doors will open at 10 o’clock and you’ll have to go back out in the RAIN at 3 o’clock.

Our amazing Volunteers will make you feel very welcome.

24/09/2026

LOOK WHAT JUST HAPPENED EVERYONE!!!!!

$3,000.00 has been deposited in our Donation Account!!!!!
By “Our Far South” For Victor.

Also, Lynda deposited $50 “with love”, M. Costa deposited $24 and Daniel deposited $50 and said “Just keep swimming Judy R.I.P. Victor”.

Such generosity. So inspiring.

This makes everything so much easier!!!

20/09/2026

Where are you?

It's a stunner of a day in Paradise Island Bay.

Better hurry - the Bait House closes at 3 o'clock.

19/09/2026

Tomorrow’s Bait House Sunday.

The weather report is for crabby weather (a bit nippy). Only 14 degrees tops.

So, put on your puffy, your beanie and your walking shoesies and head off to the Seal Colony at Red Rocks for a brisk walk.

You’ll smell the Seals before you sea them, so keep a good eye out.

Remember, don’t EVER get between a Seal and the sea. Keep a good distance away – those stocky forklifts can move FAST. And keep your doggos on their leads. There’s nothing a Seal likes better than a doggo snack. Unless it’s a slightly corpulent Blue Cod. But we’re keeping Boris safe and sound inside the Bait House.

Then head back along the coast to the Bait House for very close up encounters with weird and wonderful sea creatures like the Wandering Anemones living in our Touch Gently Pool. Meet Henrietta our Octopus, the Silly Seahorses and, of course, Boris the Big Bad Blue Cod.

Next head off to the lovely little village of Island Bay for a hot drink and the fantastic array of good food. Or a b**rsie and a burger at Dub Hub.

Can’t go wrong really.

Our welcoming, knowledgeable and downright awesome Volunteers will be waiting for you at the Bait House at 10 o’clock and they’ll be shutting up shop at 3pm.

Everyone’s very welcome.

18/09/2026

Judy here.

Today Victor would have been celebrating his birthday to the utmost.

We always had “Birthday Week”, so today would have been the start of a seven day extravaganza of excellent food, good w**e and many Campari Sodas – his favourite drink.

He was born in San Francisco. Lillian was his mother. She came from Lucca in Tuscany. His father, Pensiero, was born in Palazzo Mancinelli a little town near Perugia.

Victor’s childhood in San Francisco was idyllic. He grew up in the best possible time in the States but he always had an urge to travel and he had many adventures in many countries.

He first visited New Zealand in 1971 on his way to Antarctica to study the effects of heavy metals on sea birds. He LOVED New Zealand and returned here to live in 1985.

One of the proudest days of his life was when he became a New Zealand citizen in September 2007.

He always tried his hardest to give back to his adopted country by encouraging as many people as possible to care for our marine environment in a fun, easily accessible way.

That’s what our little Island Bay Marine Education Centre and Bait House Aquarium is all about.

I really wanted to put on a big shindig to celebrate Victor’s life on his birthday. I wanted to do it at Island Bay where all our work has been focussed. But I can’t bear the thought of celebrating Victor’s life in a place that’s so horribly disrespected by having 70 million litres of raw sewage deposited in the sea every single day.

It just doesn’t seem right.

And yesterday’s heavy rain has probably resulted in the 70 million litres of raw sewage being deposited onto Tarakina Bay beach.

But, I’m determined to celebrate Victor’s life on the South Coast. From what we’ve been told, it may not be able to happen until later on this year or early next year.

At this stage I’m thinking of opening up Octopus Headquarters and the Bait House, food trucks, lots of good w**e and food, music and fun. No sadness. Victor wasn’t a sad kinda guy! But I’d be delighted to hear from anyone who has ideas for something different.

In the meantime, please help keep Victor’s memory alive by visiting the Bait House on our Open Sundays and booking our Marine Education Programmes during the week.

He’d like that.

13/09/2026

Stunning day in Paradise Island Bay.

Hop on ya Shark Bike and pedal on down here.

Better pedal fast cos we close at 3 o'clock.

Our welcoming, friendly and knowledgeable Volunteers will help you have the best possible time.

12/09/2026

Yippeee…..tomorrow’s Bait House Sunday.

And it’s going to be a beautiful day in Paradise Island Bay.

So, here’s your Sunday itinerary:

Remember to get out of bed. You can do this. You’re an intelligent Human. Sigh …better get someone else to tell you when to get out of bed.

Remember to put clothes on. You know what happened last time you forgot that very important step. You don’t want to end up down at the Police Station again do you? I’M TALKING TO YOU KEVIN.

Grab a Wake Up Matcha Chai Almond Milk Latte and a lentil burger at one of the AWESOME cafés in the cute little Island Bay Village. Or maybe a coffee and a pie.

While you’re gagging on your lentil burger, check out the itinerary for the fantastic South Coast Arts Trail. You can visit some of the exhibitions on your way to the Bait House. https://www.southcoastartstrail.co.nz/

Browse the shops. There’re heaps of stunning choices. That’s one of the many things Island Bay’s famous for.

Walk to the Bait House. Takes ten minutes. You’ll need a walk to help digest your lentil burger.

Our awesome Volunteers will be welcoming visitors from 10 o’clock.

Say hi to Henrietta the Octopus, Boris the Big Bad Blue Cod and marvel at heaps more fascinating animals found on the South Coast of Wellington.

You’ll have to go away at 3 o’clock because we’ll be tired of you by then.

Go for a walk along the coast. Check out more galleries on the South Coast Arts Trail.

Walk back to the Village and pop into Dub Hub (163 The Parade) for a b**rsie and a burger. At 4pm the multi talented Rob Whelan will be entertaining everyone with live music. He’ll even take requests. Dub Hub is a double bonus because they’re part of the South Coast Arts Trail and every piece of art sold means Dub Hub will share a portion of the commission with US.

Stagger home.

Go to bed.

Can’t go wrong really.

11/09/2026

Here's yet another reason why we’re so grateful to be a part of the caring and supportive community of Island Bay.

A while ago we received an email from Thomas, the Duty Manager @ Double Vision Brewing aka “Dub Hub – Island Bay”.

Thomas said:
“Kia Ora Octopus Crew!
I work as a Duty Manager for Double Vision Island Bay, not far from the Island Bay Marine Centre. We're currently organising an art show titled "Two-Tone Taproom" showcasing local art entries from the community in collaboration with the South Coast Arts Trail happening in September.

Our taproom is receiving a commission on each artwork sold and we we're hoping to donate the proceeds to your crew at the marine centre and keep your conservation efforts bustling.”

The South Coast Arts Trail starts tomorrow.

Here’s some more info from Dub Hub’s FB Page:

Dub Hub Island Bay presents the: TWO TONE TAP ROOM GALLERY
This weekend, Dub Hub in Island Bay gets more colourful as we open our doors for the South Coast Arts Trail, 12–13 September.
We’re turning parts of the tap room walls into a temporary gallery space, showcasing local artwork from South Coast Arts Studio, alongside the b**rs we know and love. Come down, have a wander, check out the artwork, and settle in for a pint while you’re here.
And because good things are better when shared, we’ll donate a portion of the artwork sales from the weekend to the Island Bay Marine Education Centre, supporting the awesome work they do in our local community.

Local art. Local b**r. Local good times.
Come check out the Two Tone Tap Room Gallery this weekend at Dub Hub.
12–13 September | Island Bay
For more information and the full Arts Trail programme, check out www.southcoastartstrail.co.nz

https://www.facebook.com/dvbdubhub/

Brought to you by the shared shenanigans from Double Vision Brewing. We are set on building community through quality brews, food and drinks. A Community Hub for Island Bay!