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New Zealand PacificBeneath the waves at the Poor Knights an ocean of diving has been compressed into a relatively small area. The caves, arches, tunnels and sheer cliffs provide a great variety of habitats to explore.
From turbulent sunlit waters and kelp forests on the upper reaches of the tumbling "giant staircase," to the dark waters of the islands' many caves, the Poor Knights offer an extraordinary variety of underwater experiences. Sponge gardens and gorgonian fields are inhabited by a myriad of fish, shellfish, urchins and anemones, with black coral found in deeper waters.
The steep cliffs, which fringe the islands, plunge 100 metres below sea level in places before reaching a sandy seafloor.
The arches are some of the most interesting places to explore. A rich nutrient soup is washed through them, feeding the countless animals that compete for space on the walls. Squadrons of stingrays can also be found cruising the waters of the archways during warmer months.
Many of the subtropical fishes living in the marine reserve are found nowhere else in New Zealand, having found their way to Poor Knights on the subtropical East Auckland current. Some of the fish include subtropical species such as spotted black groper, mosaic moray and Lord Howe coralfish. They are renowned for their friendly nature and make visiting the marine reserve a truly memorable experience.
Nursery Cove, The Gardens and some of the shallower parts of the South Harbour are the best places for novice divers. Experienced divers can find spectacular and challenging dives all around the islands.
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New Zealand PacificDive site is real choice. Middle arch is what it is, It's a large swim through which is equally exciting during the day as at night.
Large fish are found on the odd day, with the odd sting ray. I have just come back from a live aboard week end when i had chance to dive this wounderfull location at night. Fish life was abundant from the moment we entered the water until we surfaced.
At 17 metres I had the chance to video my dive buddy stroke the snout of a large sting ray just resting at the bottom just past the kelp line. It was amazing to see it eyes just flicker and it's lip turn up. Middle arch is home to all types of fish species some I have yet to learn the names of.
Another good dive is just out side of the arch where there is a large cave enterace where it is quite easy to enter, once inside it is fun to find a frog and teddy bear that some one had put there some years ago, always a thrill for tourist to find. The cave enterance is in about 14 metres of water and at the back you can accend to approx 8 metres where there is a air bubble you can swim up to and investigate, always good to see your self if you have a strong lite in the reflection of the water as you brake through. Before leaving the cave on our last dive it was just incredible the amount of big eye fish we encounterd just hanging around the enterance from blackness to the deep blue reflection from the outer enterace of the cave.
This dive site and many others can be found at the poor Knights !3 miles outside of Tutukaka north island of New Zealand
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New Zealand PacificYou can reach the site via a track which can get muddy when it rains so a 4 wheel drive would be a good idea. Park at the locked gate with the koha box on the post, and follow the fenceline down the hill in an Easterly direction. Be wary of the route down the cliffs as some concentration is required! Make sure that your shore party are strong and fit and can help you get in and out of the water (confidence is needed here)!
The Cape is very exposed to the south, and therefore should not be attempted with any sort of southerly swell. If you can see signs of breaking water at the island then don't attempt it. In good conditions this is a fantastic dive for the experienced diver. The cliffs plunge straight into the sea and there are reefs to explore with lots of cracks, crevices and caves. There is a seal colony close by that can also make for good photographic subjects.
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