23. Great Barrier Island

75 km by sea northeast of Auckland, 35 minutes by air. Diving is varied and exciting with magnificent underwater volcanic terrain, lush seaweed forests creating colourful marine gardens with abundant fish life. Because of its amazing underwater topography with sheltered bays and coves, diving Great Barrier Island is safe for the complete novice as well as the more experienced divers.
There are two famous wrecks which offer easy access by boat, and safe diving; the 100 year old WAIRARAPA and the WILTSHIRE which sank in 1922. The later is a spectacular wreck dive and can be penetrated under guidance of a local underwater instructor or divemaster. Visibility up to 20m. Good photography.