Dive Sites
We have a large number of top dive sites within a small radius of Hahei
Beach. Our dive boat is a purpose built 5.2m Alluminium boat, which carries
6 divers plus 2 staff. Most of the sites are only a 5-10 minutes boat
ride. These include pinnacles, islands and bays inside the Cathedral Cove
Marine Reserve and many sites outside the boundaries. The chosen dive
site on the day depends on wind and weather conditions as well as the
wants of the divers on the trip. Also a big consideration is the experience
of the divers as some of the sites are deep where as others inside the
reserve are perfect for the Discover Scuba Dive and beginner. We welcome
individual divers but bookings are essential.
1. South Sunk Rock
This rock, although well charted, takes a few by surprise and has the remains of a ship lying at the base on the South end. It breaks the surface at spring low tide and drops off to 28-30m to the sand, so is more suitable for the experienced diver. South Sunk is well known to be one of the top dives in the area with generally clear water. It is abundant with fish life, which are attracted to the large anemone covered green-lipped mussels near the top. Huge marble fish, hiwihiwi, silver drummers and moki are very territorial here. There are always schools of Jack Mackerel, Sweep and of course heaps of Leather Jackets and with the 20m drop off on the Southern end a huge swim through and a number of crevices, multi coloured weeds and fan sponges, nudibranchs can usually be found, this is our top dive. An underwater camera is a great tool here. It is only 5-7 min from Hahei beach.
2. Kingfish Reef
Situated in the centre of the Marine reserve, Kingfish Reef consists of 2-3 large reefs 7m from the top, to a depth of 18m on the sand. There is always a large variety of fish on the reef with leatherjackets, demoiselles, snappers, maori chiefs, blue maomao, sweep and bastard red cod making up the population of permanent residents and schools of koheru, Jack mackerel, kahawai and kingfish moving in as the water warms up. The boulders are well covered with yellow, red and Grey encrusting sponges with good patches of jewel anemones and nudibranchs. There are plenty of good hiding places for yellow moray eels, blowfly fish and crayfish. The site is less than 10 mins boat ride from Hahei but needs perfect wind & sea conditions.
3. Waikaranga Island (The Wedge)
This island, lying on the boundary of the reserve, is the home and nesting place for black backed and red billed gulls. The seaward side of the island is outside the reserve zone and the terrain is boulder. The large cracks make good homes for numerous red moki and the odd big crayfish. Max depth is 25m but you can enjoy a dive in 15m or less by sticking close to the island. The inside area is sheltered and runs from the island towards the cove reaching a depth of 20m but again you can spend a lot of time in less than 18m. There are many moray eels, moki, leatherjackets and John dory. In the summer months the pelagic fish are commonly seen here. There are good areas of jewel anemones and eclonia kelp. It is a 5min boat ride from Hahei.
4. Okorotere Island
We use this particular site often, as it is very sheltered with max depth 18m and plenty to see in the shallow water. The rocks are well covered with encrusting sponges, orange and pink golfball sponges, and eclonia kelp. There are many permanent sanddagger, moki, blue maomao, rays, and crayfish living in the protected area with schools of mackerel, kahawai, kingfish and koheru visiting in the summer. Again it is only 5min from Hahei.
5. Gemstone Bay
The Department of Conservation has a marked snorkel trail in the bay, with the diving and snorkeling out by the third marker buoy being remarkable. The large snappers and oversized crayfish permanently live in 5-8m of water. The site is well within the reserve boundaries so the fish are not scared of divers. Stingrays and large eagle rays are common in the summer months in the shallow water. It is the best snorkeling site inside the reserve with easy access by foot along the Cathedral Cove Trail or a 5 min boat ride.
6. The Long Drop
This is a pinnacle dive on the seaward side of Okorotere Island, coming up to around 7m with a vast area of large boulders and great drop offs. The walls of jewel anemones and pelagic fish make this one of the top dives in the reserve.
7. Spectacle Reef
Lying on the southern side of Mahurangi Island, it is good to begin the dive in shallow water heading south, swimming down one side to around 18m, and returning back along the reef on the other side. The water is clear and is the home of a large variety of fish, nudibranchs, and sponges. There has been a good pair of prescription glasses lying on the bottom for more than 10 years.
8. Russ's Ravine
Also lying on the southern side of Mahurangi Island and just off Te Tio Island, this sight has a large swim through at around 28m with walls covered in the colourful jewel anemones and a pinnacle rising to 5m. The resident fish are big marble fish and demoiselles but the schooling fish are attracted to the pinnacles. If wall diving is your thing, you will really enjoy this dive. The bay is very sheltered from the north and west winds and there is ample area to spend your dive in less than 18m with heaps of black angelfish and leatherjackets in the 10m range.
9. Tractor Bay
This lies on the edge of Mahurangi Island and is just outside the reserve. The two tractors have been lying on the sand since1985 and make cosy homes for moray and/or conga eels. The edge of the island is shallow and is a great place to potter around looking for crayfish in amongst the kelp.
10. Hapuka Rock
This reef, out of the bay heading towards Hot Water Beach, rises up out of nowhere to 6m, from a depth of 25m on the ocean side and 20m on the western end. The most startling feature is the sheer 20m drop off to the sand on a wall covered with jewel anemones, mauve finger sponges and colourful encrusting sponges. This is a top dive and can be very rewarding for the hunter, at certain times of the year. Being a pinnacle, the top 10m of the reef is a good area for spotting kingfish.
11. Between Hahei and Hot Water Beach
The 5km of coastline running south to hot water beach, is sheltered from all wind coming from the north or west. The stunning cliffs and islands provide ideal bays for numerous dive sites in this area, ranging in depth from 5m to 20m. The boat can be taken into Orua Cave and the blowhole on certain tides and the topside scenery is well worth the trip.
