Six top dive spots in the Western Bay of Plenty

The area boasts one of the most temperate climates New Zealand has to offer. Along with that you’ll find some great diving for the beginner to the advanced diver, together with some good scallop and crayfish dives and don’t forget there is some fabulous spearfishing in the area as well.
Mayor Island

Located at the North Western end of the Bay of Plenty. A Marine Reserve at the Northern end of the island is exposed to North and Easterly swell.
There are three great sites for the beginner within the reserve. Opoupoto Bay, Motuneke rock and Orongatea Bay all offer good colourful photography. Turanganiu Bay is for the intermediate diver and Two Fathom Reef for the advanced, best dived with no swell or wind.

There are several dive sites outside the reserve giving you the opportunity for a dive in most conditions. Tarartimi Bay, the picturesque Tuhua Reef and North West Bay.  

Karewa Island

Suitable for all levels and best dived with little or no wind or swell. A wreck (Taranaki) is located on the northern side of the island. The wreck is a protected site with a depth of 10 – 15 metres and a large rocky reef to the south of the wreck drops to 22 m. Colourful boulders with nudibranchs for photography.

Penguin Shoal

Advanced diver depth 10- 40 + m this site can only be dived on calm days often due to frequent current. School fish –blue maomao – colourful walls with amazing sponge life. Crays, and reef fish everywhere galore.

Pudney Rock

Advanced Diver- good for Crays and photography as well as spearfishing. Dive on calm days only, due to current. Good for Macro Photography.
Okaparu reef: Beginner to Advanced Diver- depth 5 – 40+ m. Semi-submerged reef that is only accessible in calm conditions. Pelagic- kingfish, terakihi and golden snapper, big crayfish and walls with sponge life and nudibranchs – macro photography.

Motiti Island

Close into the island are a number of dive sites for beginners. Depth 12- 18 m.
Scallop dive in Orongatea Bay best dived in an easterly.

Wairere Bay - a crayfish dive best dived with no wind or swell. Depth 8-12 m. You may see seals during the winter months.

Taioma is a wreck dive at 17-27 m. The wreck is covered with anemones, great photographic dive.

Schooner Rocks

Advanced dive good for crayfish and spearfishing. Depth 0-30m, not diveable in wind or swell. Plenty of macro subjects for the photographer.
Motunau Island: Advanced dive, good for crayfish, spearfishing, and photography, but pick your days as not diveable in wind or swell. White Island and the Volkner Rocks are nearby.

White Island is an active volcano and has a number of great dive locations.

On your way be sure to stop off at Volkner Rocks, one of NZ’s top dive locations. For a bit of variety, visit Moutohora Island, a unique island sanctuary for some of NZ’s most endangered species. Special permission is required to land here, but there is good diving to be had. Be aware there could be volcanic activity.

Dive Summary - Western Bay of Plenty.

Local Diving - Beach, Boat, Offshore Islands, Dive ChartersType of Dive - Scuba, Snorkel, Spearfishing, Photography

One of New Zealand's most popular holiday destinations. The area has been inhabited for at least 600 years with settlement of Maori, New Zealand's indigenous people. A pleasant climate, fertile land, and welcoming harbour. The name Tauranga means "sheltered waters" in Maori. The Bay of Plenty was aptly named by Captain Cook while visiting the area in 1770 as he was impressed with the abundance of crops grown in the area.

The Coastline of the Bay of Plenty has long white sandy beaches and “The Mount” is one of the most well- known beaches in New Zealand. If you are visiting the area, there are an abundance of activities to partake in. From Dolphin and Whale watching, hiking trails, surfing, Kiwifruit tours, as well as some very fine vineyards. Eating out in Tauranga is a mecca of all types of cuisine, so whatever your preference there is plenty on offer.