Aldermen Islands and Mercury Islands
The Aldermen Islands are located off Tairua, and the Mercury Islands off Whitianga, on the Coromandel Peninsula a couple of hours east of Auckland. Fish life thrives around the large reefs and steep-walled pinnacles. Each year a dive festival is held on the Coromandel
Peninsula with plenty of fun events to enter.
Bay of Islands - Northland Dive and Cowshed Backpackers
Located three hours north of Auckland, the Bay of Islands is dotted with picturesque islands and idyllic beaches. Dive sites include Deep Water Cove (site of the ex-HMNZS Canterbury), Piercy Island (Hole in the Rock), Danger Rock, Home Point, Bigeyes Lair and many other
amazing dive sites, some with big dropoffs and the usual sightings of hunting Kingfish in places. Crayfish and scallops are quite numerous too.
The Cowshed is a backpackers/dive operation located on a farm about 15 minutes drive from Bland Bay in Northland. There are full dive facilities including hire gear, a compressor (nitrox fills available) and three dive boats. There is a kitchen with all utensils and
a bbq or you can enjoy Julia's mouthwatering meals. There are double rooms, twin rooms and dorm beds (6-10 beds/room) available as well as attractive camping spaces.
Goat Island
Established in 1975 as New Zealand's first marine reserve and located an hour north of Auckland, this site can be dived straight from the shore. Snapper and Crayfish thrive in this marine reserve and a flotilla of fish will follow you as you dive, encouraged by past practises
of feeding the fish.
Poor Knights Islands - Yukon Charters
The Poor Knights Islands are a group of uninhabited islands in a protected marine reserve off the coast of Tutukaka, north of Auckland. Considered by the late Jacques Cousteau to be one of the top 10 dive sites in the world, the Poor Knights Islands are well known for their
spectacular diving. Fish-filled caves and archways, a backdrop of colourful invertebrate life and a variety of fish life flourishing in the no-take zone will amaze you.
Photos copyright Ali Perkins
