The Poor Knights Islands lie 24 kilometres off the north-east coast of New Zealand and are a fully protected marine reserve. Since being lauded by the late Jacques Cousteau as one of the top 10 dive sites in the world, the Poor Knights have become New Zealand’s most well known diving location.

Flourishing in the protection of the marine reserve, are an abundance of fish. Schooling fish such as Blue maomao, Trevally, Sweep and Demoiselles are common on each dive, interspersed with giant Snapper and some unique tropical immigrants. The warm subtropical current that runs through the islands brings to the area a myriad of species that are seldom seen elsewhere in New Zealand – Spotted black grouper, Mosaic moray and Lord Howe coralfish. An extraordinary array of invertebrate life as well as anemones and sponges adorns the walls.

The Poor Knights Islands are made up of a group of volcanoes which erupted millions of years ago. Their eroded remains leave an interesting underwater geography made up of plummeting cliffs, archways, tunnels and caves.

Resources

Poor Knights Wonderland, Field guide to the islands and marine reserve
By Glenn Edney

AUUC at Poor Knights Islands

AUUC makes several day trips (two dives per day) out to the Poor Knights Islands throughout the year as well as several liveaboards. We use a few different operators: Seacology with skipper Crispin, Dive Tutukaka and Oceanblue Adventures on the Mazurka (liveaboards) with skipper Kevin.

What you need to bring - Seacology & Dive Tutukaka

All scuba gear including two tanks (there is no compressor on board on either boats). Crispin (Seacology) can hire you some gear if you organise it with him prior to the trip, call 02102778795. You are able to hire gear from Dive Tutukaka prior to the trip as well by phoning 0800 288 882.

The cheapest option will be to bring your food for meals. You’ll need a packed lunch and snack food for the boat as we leave in the morning and don’t return until after the second dive late in the afternoon. There is a small shop/deli at the entrance to the marina that sells some food. You can get good meals for decent prices at the fishing club.

Bring a towel and some warm clothing to warm up between dives. Please don’t bring too much as there is limited space with all the dive gear and divers.

You will need to organise your own accommodation at the Tutukaka Holiday Park.

Directions to Tutukaka from Auckland

It takes about 3 hours to get to Tutukaka from Auckland. Travel north on SH1 through Whangarei (bypassing the city) to Kamo. Turn right, following the brown signs to the Tutukaka Coast which will lead you onto Ngunguru Road (it is 27 kilometres from the Whangarei turn off to Tutukaka). Follow the road through Ngunguru to Tutukaka. The marina is on the right. The Tutukaka Holiday Park is a short distance on from the marina, on the left.

Crayzee Diver is located in the Tutukaka Marina at wharf D1 by the grey marina office. You need to be at the pier no later than 8:30am to start loading the boat. The boat leaves at 9:00am whether you are on it or not (no refunds if you miss it!).

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