With purpose-sunk shipwrecks, fascinating marine-life, and great visibility, Northland is one of New Zealand’s most popular diving playgrounds.
Northland and the Bay of Islands are home to some of the best scuba diving spots in the world, where divers can find a wide variety of sea creatures, including dolphins, whales, various fish, and multi-coloured ecosystems.
The Poor Knights Islands marine reserve is an underwater paradise for divers. The Blue Maomao Arch(opens in new window), named after the maomao fish schools that reside there, is one of Jacques Cousteau’s top 10 dive sites worldwide. You may encounter sting rays, morays, triple fins, as well as colourful sponges and anemones. Dive Tutukaka(opens in new window) is a renowned dive charter company that offers trips.
The Bay of Islands, made up of no less than 144 islands is a pristine location for water lovers. Many iconic dive sites are hidden under the surface, such as both the Rainbow Warrior(opens in new window) and the Canterbury wreck(opens in new window), that have become artificial reefs where moray eels, nudibranchs and goat fishes have found shelter.
