DiveJourneyDiveJourney

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

View On Map

Signature sites

Featured dive spots for Bay of Islands

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

View On Map
HMNZS Canterbury (Wreck) dive spot

HMNZS Canterbury (Wreck)

Artificial ReefWreck

New Zealand Navy frigate scuttled as an artificial reef in Deep Water Cove.

⚓
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