. Another good rocky spot. }); 2023 NZ Pocket Guide. reverse:false, Snorkeling In New Zealand 2023: 6 Best Places To Swim Through Ultimate Joy! Gain an international recognized certification that will allow you to dive anywhere in the world. We're dedicated to keeping our recommendations and content free. Despite the crisp morning, it has lead to a stellar of a day: theres not a cloud in the sky and the ocean is calm. Kina diving one of my favourite past time activities during the summer vibes in New Zealand. For more New Zealand travel ideas and inspiration, go to newzealand.com. Access to Shakespeare Park with Kiwi fencing. It's also an incredible snorkelling site for those who prefer to float on top of the surface. In fact, it is known to be one of the first underwater reserves in New Zealand. Steve tells us more about these fascinating islands, the geology, the cultural history, and what makes this place one of the top diving locations in New Zealand! Here you'll find giant black coral trees, snake stars, nudibranchs and strange, colourful ascidians on every surface. 92% of travellers recommend this experience. It is also known to house the largest ever sea cave in all of the Southern hemisphere, the Riko Riko Cave. The suit itself is a mix of eight, seven and six millimeter neoprene with an awesome thermaskin lining. Auckland Diving provides professionally run classes for brand new divers, right through to competitive training at Olympic level. Te Whanganui O Hei marine reserve is a pristine nine square kilometres off the coast of Cathedral Cove, with impressive volcanic rocks and formations. No fish were harmed during the making of this NZPocketGuide.com story). Te Haruhi or Shakespeares Bay is the next bay around. Keep an eye out for Arielwe know she loves exploring them shipwrecks! Whether you want to learn to dive, become a dive professional, or simply explore the world beneath the waves, we have a right programme for you. There is one pinnacle I have in mind - unnamed, it sits near Wet Jacket Arm. }); Take refuge from the heat via a dive bomb or search for crabs and starfishAnchor Bay really is a slice of New Zealand heaven. 8 Keith Hay Court, Silverdale At low tide, you can explore different rock-pool creatures. Seal swimming it is! Swimming slowly enough, we find ourselves among the school ourselves fish so close we could touch them (but we dont. The currents are ferocious and you could easily be lost. read more, Stumbled across it by accident but boy what a find. Contact Kiwi Scuba Divers today or drop by the shop and see us for your diving requirements. Matty and I had a blast plucking out a few beauties. [the_image_caption][post_intro][post_acf_fields] [nz_voting] [where_to_stay] [display_relatedPost]. Planning a family picnic. Its hard to believe this getaway is just a 45-minute trip away from the hustle and bustle of Aucklands CBD. At low tide, the retreating waters expose a rock platform where snorkelers can explore different rock pool plants and life such as golden limpets, Neptune's necklace, pink coralline seaweed, small fish, crabs and juvenile pua and kina. For those of you who fear scuba diving, snorkeling is the next best option. Excellent. The water clarity here is consistently good and quite often things are crystal clearperfect for getting some decent shots on the GoPro. The rocky reefs make for great diving - the best is around 15 metres - with lots of crayfish in crevices, schools of fish such as perch and tarakihi, as well as blue cod, seaweeds, shellfish, sponges, not to mention the dolphins and seals. Visitors can also enjoy swimming, kayaking and walking on the beach. Kiwi Scuba Divers also offer internationally recognised freediver training through SSI Freediving. The Piopiotahi (Milford Sound) marine reserve was established in 1993 and was the first in the region to be established. Simply don your snorkel and wetsuit and set out on the Island Bay Snorkel Trail for a once in a life experience. window.setTimeout(timer_metaslider_57782, 100) : !jQuery.isReady ? We specialise in technical diver training including extended range, sidemount and rebreathers. If you swim out into deep water save enough energy to get back. But the gems in the Coromandel's marine crown are the Aldermen Islands; a divers' dream located 20 kilometres off the coast of Puanui. Take a look at the best places to go snorkeling in New Zealand for a thrilling experience in the beautiful country while holidaying there! Fun watching kayaks and boats. Kina Scollay in front of White Island. Have Questions? Talk to our travel experts today. It all feels extremely foreign even to people like us who have done a couple of dives before, but once we step into the water and look down with our masks on, all those weird feelings are washed away. What attractions are near Army Bay Beach? Well, Ariel, do we have news for you: you can make all your mermaid dreams a reality with snorkeling. Learn how to safely develop your freediving techniques and breath hold abilities. It's also a great time to. You can get trapped on the Rothesay Bay rocks at high tide, so be careful there. The best time to go snorkeling in this reserve is at half to the full tide. The best time to explore the waters is 2-3 hours before low tide, so you can walk around the platform and gaze in marvel at the vast array of marine biodiversity. We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location. Although the Poor Knights Islands are meant to feature world-class diving beneath the surface, the scenery above the surface is pretty awesome too. There are basically six types of diving groups related to springboard and platform diving. Theres a vast array of locations to explore, suited to both snorkelers and divers of all experience levels. Youll only need one, and hey presto:big snapper. Check out our Online Shop for more information on the products we supply. Last time on The Lateral Line the boys cut the show short after Milan landed a good kingfish, so this time around the story starts where they left off. Alphabet Bay on the north-west side of the island has good kelp forests and fish life. This made us all sad for the ocean and the kai Moana. While we admit the island is QUITE off the beaten track, the marine life here makes the trip well worth it. You will need a decent cast to get clear in some places but floating baits in others. We have two clubs within our program, I'd been snorkelling overseas in tropical areas, but I had no idea what was beneath the surface in our own oceans. Access to Shakespeare Park with Kiwi fencing. The trail has buoys with handles on them, which are not only ideal for youngsters or those with less experience in the water, but they also have information panels to help snorkellers identify what they're seeing. On the Our Big Blue Backyard expedition, each time I dived here, humpback whale songs boomed through the water, magnified by my communications system. It usually lies on the common boundary of adjoining pieces of land, though it can lie mainly, How many different approaches are there to springboard diving? A daily bag limit of no more than 2 hpuku/bass per person. The Alderman Islands are considered the Coromandel's answer to the famous Northland dive site Poor Knights Islands. The depth here drops to over 20m. With that, Sophie, Dave and Robin are throwing their lunch aside and throwing on their masks and snorkels. Location: Coromandel Peninsula, New Zealand, Suggested Read: 14 Scrumptious New Zealand Cuisine One Must Devour On Their Trip. Chance of snapper here at low incoming tide; best with piper or live bait. Our divers come from varied backgrounds including gymnastics, cheer-leading, rugby players, kids who enjoy jumping off wharfs/pool sides and those that just love to be in the water. Watching a snapper snaffle a softie right at your feet has got to be up there with the best land based experiences. Snorkellers can swim out alongside the rocks at the eastern end of the beach and across to the little island. Quiet and peaceful on a sunny winters day with no wind. Its a long trip right to the end of the peninsula, but worth it. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in New Zealand. Scuba diving in New Zealand has never been easier, better facilitated and better staffed. And far too many Asian people collecting more than 50 cockles per person which is the limit. Charlie Lip has a similar appearance and both snappers are more than one-metre (!) This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Go NZ: The best scuba diving sites in New Zealand - NZ Herald, Poor Knights Islands A rich experience - NZ Herald, New Zealand's top snorkelling spots - NZ Herald, Clarke Gayford in Tairua: Fish of the Day - NZ Herald. Fiordland is home to one of New Zealand's most unique dive regions. There are some ledges facing Rangitoto which can hold kingies over the summer. Make sure you BYO snorkelling gear and picnic because there are no shops on this secluded island. Kaikoura. The littlies will enjoy exploring the rock pools here. Check out our Online Shop for more information on the products we supply. You will absolutely love swimming in. We can now head back to Tutukaka Marina with more incredible memories than we had imagined. The Taputeranga Marine Reserve is home to more than 180 fish species, as well as the scuttled RNZN F69 Wellington frigate. Welcome/Kia Ora! Get amongst the shark cage adventure where you can snorkeling alongside sharks from the safety of a submerged cage. Boats can be launched at Leigh Harbour. The rock country under Fort Cautley can produce some great evening fishing. As we found out in Kaikoura all those months ago, seals are incredible to swim with. Upon request, our experts can advise you on the most suitable choice of dive gear for you on your next dive. $('#metaslider_57782 .msHtmlOverlay').each(function() { The eastern end off the point can fish well with an incoming tide. Your better bet will be to go into the Shakespeare reserve through the animal proof fence and head down to the beach there - lots of open spaces with grass - toilets and a long shallow beach with safe swimming - it does get busy weekends as it is popular with groups of local folk - better bet than Army Bay which I found a little bleak, Army Bay Beach, Whangaparaoa: Address, Army Bay Beach Reviews: 4.5/5, This is a great beach on the north side of the Whangaparaoa Peninsula, at the end of the road (before the. Its a long trip right to the end of the peninsula, but worth it. var slider = !window.jQuery ? BECOME A SUPPORTER. This snorkeling platform may be accessed by crossing a lovely stretch of white sand beach. Suggested Read: 15 Lakes In New Zealand Thatll Make You Believe In Heaven. Photo / The Coromandel, Supplied. A bright float and dive flag is a good safety measure for divers. Expect to see schools of yellow-eye mullet, flounder, shrimps and cockles. Expect to also see gorgonian fans, corals and sponges as well as large snapper and other fish that have been left alone to grow and age. Taputeranga Marine Reserve. One suggestion was Army bay. 96% of travellers recommend this experience. Look for snake eels protruding from the sand or stargazers that hide there. animationSpeed:600, With strong currents and deep water, divers should be experienced and have a skilled local skipper. Back at the Dive! The Kaikura pua fishery, between Marfells Beach/Cape Campbell and the Conway River will reopen for 3 months from 1 December 2021 to 28 February 2022. For more information see our privacy and information policy. You can snorkel off the beach and see fish swimming around quite close to the shore, while scuba divers can venture further out. Its a pretty cruisy ride to the Poor Knights, where about mid-way, Sophie goes through a briefing with us, including an explanation of the skills were going to practice once before we get into the water and once in the water. Also known as Cape Rodney, this is a fabulous snorkeling spot for beginners and experts alike. Among the several dozen things you can do in New Zealand on your vacation, add a dose of snorkeling to top up your splendid getaway. Why choose a Auckland Diving Club? In Canterbury? This is also an incredible night dive. Snorkeling in New Zealand bay of islands is a fun way to explore the mind-blowing amount of marine life at close quarters. Divers don't usually get a chance to see black coral as it typically grows at depths of at least 100 metres. Collecting kina and cockles - Review of Army Bay Beach, Whangaparaoa, New Zealand - Tripadvisor South Pacific New Zealand North Island Auckland Whangaparaoa Whangaparaoa - Things to Do Army Bay Beach Army Bay Beach 19 Reviews #6 of 13 things to do in Whangaparaoa Nature & Parks, Outdoor Activities, Beaches Suggested Read: 15 Waterfalls In New Zealand That'll Leave You Speechless. Popular spots include Southland, the Marlborough Sounds and the East Coast of the North Island. Their super playful and acrobatic in the water. Delightful South Weekend Tour 3D/2N Package @ Rs 4,999, Marvelous Gujarat Tour 3D/2N Package @ Rs 4,999. var metaslider_57782 = function($) { Spearfishing for Yellowtail Kingfish and Big Snapper in Auckland's Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand in Spring. We found some mind-blowing diving. Goat Island. DIVE SHOP. Very early morning or evening low will be best to beat the boat traffic. You'll learn all about these apex predators on board the boat to your dive site while understanding what an important role they have in the ocean. New Zealand, Phone: +64 9 4269834 With a good cast you will be in deep water on the edge of the channel. Snorkeling in New Zealand, may not be the first thing to come to your mind on a trip to the island. Kiwi Scuba Divers offer some of the best scuba diving in Auckland and across New Zealand. We pay our respects to the Elders past, present and future, and acknowledge the Mori of Aotearoa as traditional Tangata Whenua. Because we manage to stay relatively calm as a sea cucumber, we spend around 50 minutes in the water. pauseOnHover:false, A wide flat pan beach which extends basically out to the Rangitoto Channel at low tide. Oakely Creek Falls. Can't get enough of that watersport action? We complete the all-important diving forms on a boat-shaped desk, then meet our guide today, Sophie, who sorts out some diving gear for us, packs it, and takes it down to the boat for us. Rock fishing newbie Paul Walker charts a treasure trove of nooks and crannies heading up the East Coast from Auckland. Fish this on an out-going tide a lot of fish come out of that river. } Kiwi Scuba Divers have a fully equipped dive equipment service centre and dive cylinder testing facility on site. Hahei is the nearest settlement from where you can kayak to the reserve or enjoy a 30-minute scenic walk to the cove. The Canterbury. A thorough understanding of tides and currents and how they behave in this particular spot is recommended. }); Welcome to the start of the final leg of our 365 Days: 365 Activities where were exploring the Winterless North of New Zealand! var el = $(this); | Life In New Zealand 35,133 views Feb 23, 2017 Kina diving one of my favourite past time activities during the summer vibes in New Zealand. With our beady eyes on the seals, we wait with bated breath to see if they slip into the water. Location: west auckland Status: Offline Points: 336 Opito bay, not to far from cooks beach, head out to rocks, plenty of good kina everywhere. You will find this one of its kind marine reserves on any New Zealand coral reef map. Common species seen in the reserve include octopus, rock lobster, crabs and starfish, as well as large kelp forests. We're also incredibly fortunate in New Zealand to have so many marine reserves, where fish, aquatic plants and animals are protected from fishing and are able to be restored to their natural balance. A five-minute drive north of Leigh, the marine reserve is home to masses of colourful (and super friendly) fish. This made us all sad for the ocean and the kai Moana. $('#metaslider_57782 .msHtmlOverlay .layer[data-link], #metaslider_57782 .msHtmlOverlay[data-link]').each(function() { Gannets diving have given away a pack of hunting kingfish, Fishing for a World Record? There are so many things to marvel at: giant Black Spotted Grouper, rock formations, corals, and a chance of big pelagics swimming by - including sharks. Get our top stories direct to your inbox. When we get back down to the bottom deck, the scuba gear is all set up and waiting for us. Aussie slang is not the only thing that astounds tourists. How Much Does It Cost to Own a Boat in New Zealand? Tututkaka who take divers beginners and experts alike to the Poor Knights Islands. The sand is good and there is plenty of parking and toilet facilities. If you get the conditions just right - the water clear and the tide slack - it can be one of the most fascinating dives in the country. Post Options Post Reply Quote SpearHori Report Post Fun watching kayaks and boats. Kiwi Scuba Divers are a full service dive shop located only 20 minutes north of Auckland just off the motorway for easy access, so drop in on your way north and avoid all the traffic of central Auckland. Poor Knight Island Marine Reserve is a popular snorkeling destination just half an hour from Whangarei. Small, private and great. Become a DJ Wiz NZ Patron here: https://www.patreon.com/djwizUenuku Journeys Website: http://www.uenukujourneys.com/VENTURE WITH ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA:Facebook (Travel): https://www.facebook.com/uenukujourneFacebook (DJ): https://www.facebook.com/djwiz.nz/Twitter: twitter.com/djwiznzInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/djwiznz/Snapchat: dj-wizBeme: djwizPinterest - https://nz.pinterest.com/uenukujourneys/Whatsapp: Wiri Te MoniSoundCloud: @soundcloud.com/dj-wiz-nzMixCloud: www.mixcloud.com/djwiznz/Youtube: www.youtube.com/user/djwiznzAll questions, messages, enquiries can be emailed to me at: djwiznz@gmail.comFootage filmed on a Canon G7X Mark 2, Go Pro 5 Hero Black \u0026 Iphone 5s.Music in this vlog is by: David Cutter - https://soundcloud.com/dcuttermusicMusic Needed Now!If your a music producer, DJ, beat creator who creates hip hop, funk, r \u0026 b and jazzy instrumental beats and would like me to feature your music on my vlogs please email me at djwiznz@gmail.com In the little holes live mantis shrimps and crabs are prolific. This picturesque spot is renowned for its beaches that are great for swimming, fishing andof coursesnorkeling. Check out the best places to kayak, paddle board and learn to surf around auckland. DIVING for KIWI KINA! In Fiordland a fresh water layer sits on. Lovely for a picnic Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page. Kick off from the sports ground and swim towards Horseshoe Island or the large mangrove trees to the south. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. A third win for travelling in the shoulder season! Do you have dreams of befriending a flounder and brushing your hair with a fork? Support media diversity and local, today. direction:'horizontal', Go a bit deeper and find colourful nudibranchs, lots of tarakihi and schools of butterfly perch. It was pretty busy and hardly any parks. Diving Howard's Rock requires a high level of experience and a skilled support team. Auckland Diving provides professionally run classes for brand new divers, right through to competitive training at Olympic level. Stumbled across it by accident but boy what a find. The kids love Army bay for swimming and climbing in the pohutukawa trees. Our retail shop offers a huge selection of scuba diving, spearfishing and snorkelling equipment with international brands such as as Oceanic, Hollis, Zeagle, Atomic, Bare, Stahlsac, Mares and much more. }, This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Need easy access to toilet facilities, stroller friendly terrain as plenty of kids in the group and safe swimming spot. Luckily, the Kermadecs are packed with less challenging dive sites where you will still encounter spectacular fish life whenever you turn. Goat Island Marine Reserve is an Auckland success story. It also boasts of a great diversity of not just fish, but also stingrays, dolphins, and eels among other varied marine mammals and plants. Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our. Those rocking snorkelling gear can explore the rocks close to the shore, while divers can drop onto the reefs further out with depth ranges of up to 25 metres. Take note of the marine reserve signs at boat ramps. We also like to hang out on Facebook and post pretty pictures on Instagram. Quiet and peaceful on a sunny winters day with no wind. 2 Fiordland: Acheron Passage This area contains some of the most other-worldly, atmospheric diving on the planet. Each part of the country has a unique marine ecosystem with more snorkel and dive spots than most of us land-dwellers realise. You can cross the stream and head down the beach to the rock shelf right opposite brazier rock, casting out into the channel between the two. Here's what you need to know to ensure your trophy fish legally qualifies for a category record. It's best when there is little swell, it is quite shallow (5-10m) so it's best to have calmer conditions so you're less affected by surge. By using our website, you accept our use of cookies. Location: Bay of Islands, The Canterbury. Tonga Island certainly features itself in the top snorkeling spots on the island. dividing fence is a fence that divides two properties. This spot is home to the likes of snapper, crayfish, kelp forests and even the occasional stingray. more, Clearyak hire at Goat Island Marine Reserve, Auckland Harbour Sailboat Cruise Including Three Course Dinner, Afternoon Piha Beach and Rainforest Tour from Auckland, Auckland Dolphin and Whale Watching Eco-Safari Cruise, Hobbiton, Rotorua and Waitomo Caves Day Trip in Luxury Minibus from Auckland, Bay of Islands Small Group Tour & Cruise from Auckland, America's Cup Sailing on Auckland's Waitemata Harbour, Piha and Karekare Rainforest Wine Tour from Auckland, Coast and Rainforest Eco-Tour from Auckland with Lunch, Matakana Scenic Coastal Getaway from Auckland, Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. And far too many Asian people collecting more than 50 cockles per person which is the limit. Plenty of off street parking and quite a few families picnicking. You will be rewarded with plenty of big snapper and crayfish to view, lovely sponge growths and kelp forests. Here are some tips that you must take a look at to have an adventurous vacation in New Zealand. Those rocking snorkelling gear can explore the rocks close to the shore, while divers can drop onto the reefs further out with depth ranges of up to 25 metres. The Top 10 Wash Fishing Tips to Help You Catch Big Snapper. prevText:"<", There is a grassy area in between the free car park and the beach for those who don't want sand blown into their sandwiches! These three points fish really well from half to low tide. This location hasn't been featured yet on Our Big Blue Backyard - watch this space - but I wanted to include a location in my backyard. This is a great beach on the north side of the Whangaparaoa Peninsula, at the end of the road (before the military zone) and close to Shakespeare Regional Park. Over a lifetime of diving around New Zealand for work and for play, there are a few places that stand out. Stewart Island's remote coastlines mean dive and snorkel sites are pristine and undisturbed and are home to an incredibly diverse marine ecosystem. Tutukaka cave, Sophie helps us record our dive, as well as identify the species of fish we saw with a fish book. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our. init: function(slider) { If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Here's a dive for the whole family - it makes a lovely snorkel too. This summer, here's where to get underwater and check out the country's amazing marine life. You may need the tide to drop a bit before you can get around the rocks, but this little piece of coast can fish very well with deeper water not too far out. Just inside the harbour on the southern side are three points: Tungutu Point (best reached from Otarawao or Sullivans Bay), and Opahi Point and Opaheke Point, which are both left and right of the Opahi Bay boat ramp. The wall drops to sand where it is dotted with rocks covered with sponges, kelp and heaps of goatfish. The center is just a short walk from the beach and is a great way to get acquainted with marine life in the area. The Marlborough Sounds is made up of the Queen Charlotte, Kenepuru, Pelorus, and Mahau Sounds. And you know what, we werent even cold another win for the shoulder season! Shag Rock, about 150m directly off the beach, is best during high tide when thousands of fish move in to feed. TBA Travel by ferry or enjoy a birds-eye view and catch a flight with Fly My Sky. Fish up to 7kg have been pulled out of here. Tuatua ( Paphies subtriangulata) are larger than pipi and found on sandy beaches. Beautiful views. 95% of travellers recommend this experience. This spot is home to the likes of snapper, crayfish, kelp forests and even the occasional stingray. Easy parking for large vehicles. 2022-10-15 2022-10-15 | admin admin | 0 Comment | 14:31. Three day's fishing off the rocks trying to get something to eat and hoping to do battle with some big King Fish. easing:"linear", Do not be surprised to find some friendly triple fins swim right up to your mask! The waters around Southland are well known for being a great habitat for great white sharks, but don't let that put you off from snorkelling and freediving around Rakiura.