Aldermen Islands and Mercury Islands
- Dive Tairua
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
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