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Plan + Spots · Destination Guide

Bay Of Islands New Zealand

Wrecks, kelp forests, and island cruising in New Zealand's subtropical Far North

Updated Feb 13, 2026 • 19 sources

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Signature sites

Featured dive spots for Bay Of Islands New Zealand

Use the map and cards to compare where to dive first.

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Cathedral Cave dive spot

Cathedral Cave

Cave

Boat-only sea cave with rays, eels, and blue-water walls.

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Visibility14 m
AccessChallenging entry effort
Marine LifeGreat variety
FacilitiesLimited facilities
CurrentModerate current
SurgeModerate surge
Blue Maomao Arch (Bay of Islands) dive spot

Blue Maomao Arch (Bay of Islands)

Reef

Iconic shallow Poor Knights arch filled with schooling fish.

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Visibility18 m
AccessChallenging entry effort
CoralMixed health
Marine LifeExceptional variety
FacilitiesLimited facilities
CrowdFew visitors
Pillar Rock dive spot

Pillar Rock

PinnacleReef

Kelp-covered reef and boulder dive in the Bay of Islands.

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Visibility12 m
AccessModerate entry effort
Marine LifeGreat variety
FacilitiesLimited facilities
CurrentStrong current
The Dog dive spot

The Dog

Wall

Advanced current-swept wall drift with schooling fish action.

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Visibility15 m
AccessChallenging entry effort
Marine LifeGreat variety
FacilitiesLimited facilities
CurrentLight current
Bowling Alley dive spot

Bowling Alley

Kelp ForestReef

Shallow kelp-and-boulder reef dive in the Bay of Islands.

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Visibility15 m
AccessModerate entry effort
Marine LifeGreat variety
FacilitiesLimited facilities
Piercys’ Backside dive spot

Piercys’ Backside

Deep

Expert outer-island wall dive with deep ledges and arch.

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Visibility18 m
AccessChallenging entry effort
Marine LifeGreat variety
FacilitiesLimited facilities