Jacques Cousteau once claimed that the Poor Knights Islands have the best subtropical diving in the world. Situated 22kms offshore and in the outer Hauraki Gulf the Internationally renown Poor Knights Island group were listed as New Zealand's second marine reserve in 1981. In 1998 the marine protection zone was extended to 800m from the shoreline resulting in some truly miraculous diving. With it's complex underwater topography of caves and tunnels this is a gathering zone for some rarely seen species in numbers incomparable to anywhere else in the Gulf. Standing in waters up to 100m deep, the shear rock walls and kelp gardens provide some remarkable diving. This is a must do for any diver.
Departing Tutukaka Marina 40 minutes North of Whangarei, this is a big day on the open seas, so bring a hat.
