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Plan + Spots · Destination Guide

Bay of Islands

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

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

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Blue Maomao Arch (Bay of Islands) dive spot

Blue Maomao Arch (Bay of Islands)

Reef

Iconic shallow Poor Knights arch filled with schooling fish.

Visibility18 m
AccessChallenging entry effort
CoralMixed health
Marine LifeExceptional variety
FacilitiesLimited facilities
CrowdQuite busy
Bowling Alley dive spot

Bowling Alley

Kelp ForestReef

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

Visibility15 m
AccessModerate entry effort
Marine LifeGreat variety
FacilitiesLimited facilities
Cathedral Cave dive spot

Cathedral Cave

Cave

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

Visibility14 m
AccessChallenging entry effort
Marine LifeGreat variety
FacilitiesLimited facilities
CurrentModerate current
SurgeModerate surge
Piercys’ Backside dive spot

Piercys’ Backside

Deep

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

Visibility18 m
AccessChallenging entry effort
Marine LifeGreat variety
FacilitiesLimited facilities
Pillar Rock dive spot

Pillar Rock

PinnacleReef

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

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

The Dog

Wall

Advanced current-swept wall drift with schooling fish action.

Visibility15 m
AccessChallenging entry effort
Marine LifeGreat variety
FacilitiesLimited facilities
CurrentStrong current