DIVE the BAY OF ISLANDS
Bay of Islands’ dive sites are diverse. Here you can experience schooling fish, sponge and kelp gardens, swim-throughs, cave, canyon walls, wrecks and more! Most of our dive sites are within a comfortable 20-minute boat ride, sheltered from the weather, and accessible all-year round.
Canterbury Wreck
Advanced
Maunganui Bay, Rahui / Reserve, 14m at the Middle Funnel, 38m at the Stern. Open Water Divers are advised to be accompanied by an official guide. Do not exceed your certification level. Learn more…
The Sisters
Intermediate-Advanced
Motutara Rock. Max depth 47m. Boulders at 30m great variety of fish life, large pelagic fish, occasional sharks. Watch the current and surge.
Motuwheteke Is. West
Intermediate-Advanced
Rahui / Reserve. Boulders at 25m, a great variety of fish life, and a maximum depth 45m out on the sand.
Sonic Boom Cave
Open-Advanced
Entrance at 14m and approx 40m to the back (torch required). Aptly named, because of the sound created when the wave hits the top of the cave. Note there may be a strong surge at entrance which subsides at the back of the cave.
Motuwheteke Is. East
Open-Intermediate
Rahui / Reserve. 17m-23m. Boulders, kelp and reef fish.
Homer Reef
Open Water
Max Depth 17m. Good fish life with kelp on reef and the occasional black spotted groper.
Boar Fish Cave
Open Water
Max depth 20m. A large cave with a sandy bottom and exit at the back. Giant boar fish are seen in this area.
Big-Eyes Lair
Open-Advanced
Max depth 24m. A swim-through, with the entrance at 24m.
Approx 38m long (torch required). Home to large schools of ‘big-eye’ fish.
Danger Rock
Intermediate-Advanced
Max depth 56m. This dive has it all: swim-throughs, walls, guts, canyons and boulders, large black coral-trees, and a variety of fish life including pelagic fish. Watch for current and surge.
Tiheru Is. (The Dog)
Intermediate-Advanced
Max depth 50m. Boulders at 25m, a great variety of fish life, including pelagic fish. Watch for strong currents and boat traffic over summer.
Net Rock
Open Water
Max depth 30m. Good fish life with the occasional crayfish.
Pig Gully
Open Water
Ohututea Bay. Depth 8-16m. An interesting dive with a good variety of fish.
Putahataha Island
Open Water
Rahui / Reserve. Max depth 26m. A cave entrance is at 16m on the southwest side of the Island.
Cathedral Cave
Intermediate to Advanced
Piercy/Motukokako Island. Max depth 30m at cave entrance. You’ll find large boulders, a variety of fish life including stingrays at the back of the cave, and walls that are home to nudibranchs, anemones, and encrusting algae. Watch your depth outside of the cave as it slopes downward to 60m in front. Beware of boat traffic (all seasons) and always surface next to cave walls.
Boulder Garden
Advanced
Piercy Island / Motukokako Island West. Max depth 70+m. At 25m you’ll find boulders, a great variety of fish life, large pelagic fish and occasional sharks. Watch for boat traffic.
Back Side
Advanced
Piercy Island / Motukokako Island NNE. Max depth 70+m. A fantastic wall dive with huge boulders at 55m, a swim-through at 46m, and a nice shelf for deco. A great variety of fish life, large pelagic fish, and occasional sharks. Watch for boat traffic.
Waiwiri Rock
Intermediate-Advanced
Max depth 45m. A great variety of fish life including large pelagic fish and occasional sharks. Watch for current and surge.
White Reef
Open Water
Rahui / Reserve. Depth range 2-27m. An interesting and fun dive spot with a good variety of fish life.
Cone Rock
Open Water
Max depth 17m. Good fish life on a low lying reef.
Oke Bay
Open Water
16 – 20m. Boulders, good fish life with the occasional crayfish.
Pillar Rock
Open Water
Max depth 27m. Good fish life with the occasional crayfish.
Mahenotapuku Rock (Bird Rock)
Intermediate-Advanced
Max depth 50m. Boulders at 25m, a great variety of fish life including large pelagic fish. Sharks are often seen. Home to seals over the cooler months. Watch for current and surge.
The Nursery
Open Water
Max depth 14m. Good fish life on a shallow reef.
Home Point
Open Water
Max depth 25m. Good fish life. Of note is the presence of Reef-Fingers.
Kariparipa Point East
Open Water
Depth 10-24m. Boulders, good fish life, swim-throughs, and caves. Watch your depth, as it does drop-off to the west.
Kariparipa Point West
Intermediate-Advanced
Max depth 45m. Boulders at 30m, a great variety of fish life, and wall dive to the North. Sand at 45m.
