18. POOR KNIGHTS MARINE RESERVE

These islands off the east coast of Northland (21 km by sea from Tutukaka), are the eroded remains of a group of volcanoes which erupted around 11 million years ago. Rated as one of the worlds top ten dive sites, the diving is superb, with very good visibility 15-30m and rich marine life. Good photography.

The islands are bathed in a warm subtropical current, and fish include tropical species such as spotted black groper, mosaic moray and Lord Howe coral fish, which are rarely found elsewhere in New Zealand waters.

Reef fish include pink maomao, and two-spot demoiselle; kingfish; koheru and travelly are common. The steep cliffs which fringe the islands plummet 100 metres below sea level in places before reaching a sandy floor bottom. Broken by caves, archways and fissures, they provide many different nooks and crannies for sea life over a wide range of depths.

Kelp forests, sponge gardens and gorgonian fields are inhabited by a myriad of fish, shellfish, urchins, and anemones, with black coral in deeper waters.
Nursery cove, and some of the shallower parts of South Harbour are the best places for novice divers. Experienced divers can find spectacular and challenging dives all around the islands. Red Baron Arches - has a wide range of fauna and flora, rock formations.

When you are diving please take care to avoid damaging underwater features, and no souvenir hunting please.