Underwater Photo Location: Northern Arch, Tawhiti Rahi Island, Poor Knights

One of the most spectacular dive sites in the Poor Knights, with a huge 8m wide arch in a promontory wall. Currents through the arch can be very strong so caution needs to be exercised here, especially as the arch is 40m deep. Wall is covered in colourful sponges and bryozoans, interspersed with yellow zoanthids, solitary hard corals, common and jewel anemones. The arch is noted for the large groups of Short-tailed Stingrays that gather in and around it. There are also large schools of Kingfish, Maomao, Butterfly Perch and Demoiselles. Perhaps you may also see a Giant Manta, as we did. Sea Temp 19c (Jan 2008)

For photos website

Marine life observed: Giant Manta, Short-tailed Stingrays, Nudibranchs (Clown, Gem, Verco's Tambja), Triplefins (Spectacled, Oblique Swimming and Blue-eyed), Kingfish, Maomao, Butterfly Perch, Northern Scorpionfish, Yellow Moray, Leatherjackets, Demoiselle
Facts about Northern Arch, Tawhiti Rahi Island, Poor Knights

• It is in New Zealand
• Northern Arch, Tawhiti Rahi Island, Poor Knights is in the Pacific.
• The typical depth is 0-40 Metres 0-130 Feet.
• The typical visibility is 10-30 Metres 30-100 Feet.