Diving in South New Zealand
Quick Facts
- • Entry types: Mostly shore entries
- • Expect: Varies by conditions visibility
- • Highlights: Discover South New Zealand's dive spots
Explore the underwater wonders of South New Zealand, ecoregion. This region features 17 documented dive spots, each offering unique underwater experiences. Whether you're seeking calm snorkeling bays, challenging freediving depths, or exciting scuba adventures, South New Zealand has something for every underwater explorer. Browse detailed spot information, check current conditions from recent dive logs, and connect with the local diving community to make the most of your visit.
Regional Context
🏛️ Marine Hierarchy
🌍 Associated Countries
Countries in South New Zealand (1)
Popular Spots in South New Zealand (17)
Aramoana Mole
Aramoana Mole features a man-made rock wall designed to prevent silting at the harbour entrance. The deepest areas reach approximately 30 meters, while most dives occur between 10 and 15 meters. As divers progress along the Mole, they will encounter increasing depths. The site is home to a diverse range of sponges in various shapes and colors, along with marine life such as slugs, snails, nudibranchs, and fish species including Moki, Trumpeter, Greenbone, and Red cod.
Bridal Veil
Bridal Veil is a gently sloping dive site that begins at Bridal Veil beach and features a wall extending towards Copper Point. The site is generally sheltered, making it suitable for training in the shallower areas. The underwater landscape includes a sandy rocky reef with kelp and sporadic black coral trees. Above water, divers can enjoy scenic views of Bridal Veil, Fairy, and Sterling Falls, enhancing the overall experience.
Butterfly Wall
Butterfly Wall begins in a sheltered cove with a gently sloping stony sandy bottom that transitions into a rocky sandy reef. The dive site features a steep wall on both sides. The area is characterized by abundant kelp and large schools of butterfly perch, along with some wrasses. Small black coral can also be observed along the wall sections.
Cray’s Crack
Cray’s Crack is a marine reserve characterized by a rocky reef that descends at a 45-degree angle to a depth of approximately 18 meters, transitioning into sandy bottom. At around 20 meters, the site features a shelf before the seafloor drops steeply to depths reaching up to 80 meters in certain areas. The reef is notable for its rich black coral and abundant Ecklonia kelp. Marine life includes a high density of crayfish, jock stewart, wrasses, butterfly perch, and schooling tarakihi. Divers may also encounter dogsharks and carpet sharks in the area.
Dale Green
Dale Green is a diverse dive site characterized by its steep walls that descend to depths of 80 meters near the shore. The area is home to large black coral trees and a variety of marine life, including sharks, rays, and octopus. Divers can also observe wrasses, butterfly perch, marblefish, and numerous nudibranchs. Additionally, red coral colonies can be found in the overhangs, while yellow zooanthids add to the site's ecological richness.
Dale Point
Dale Point is a marine reserve characterized by a combination of wall diving and steep drop-offs, with sections of reef present. The site is notable for its large black coral formations and vibrant yellow zoanthids. Divers can expect to encounter a variety of marine life including nudibranchs, octopuses, eagle rays, stingrays, and various shark species such as dog, school, and carpet sharks. Additionally, conger eels, stargazers, butterfly perches, wrasses, marble fish, and tarakihi are commonly observed in this area. The entry to the site is from the shore, making it accessible for divers looking to explore its diverse underwater ecosystem.
Fox Cove
Fox Cove is situated on the outer Fiord and features a rocky reef that transitions to a sandy bottom, reaching a maximum depth of approximately 20 meters, depending on the specific area within the cove. The site is exposed to north and northwest winds but offers shelter from southwesterly winds. Divers can observe a variety of colorful kelp and coastal fish species, along with scenic views of the northern outer coastline.
Greenstone Beach
Greenstone Beach presents a rocky shoreline that begins at a depth of 5 meters, leading to a sloping rocky reef with a 45-degree incline. The area is characterized by large boulders scattered along the coast. Divers can explore a rocky reef populated with kelp and a variety of marine life, including octopus, wrasses, butterfly perch, Jasons nudibranch, marblefish, and eels. Encounters with school sharks and dogsharks are also possible. Additionally, small black coral can be found in this environment.
Greenstone Point
Greenstone Point is a wall dive located on the southern side of Milford Sound, reaching depths of up to 90 meters, making it suitable for deep and technical diving profiles. The site features black coral trees and red coral found in cracks and overhangs, along with walls adorned with yellow zoanthids. Divers should be prepared for the conditions typical of deep dives.
Harrison Cove
Harrison Cove features a dive site that begins on a shallow gravel bottom, transitioning to a muddy sandy slope at a 45-degree angle. The area includes several rock outcrops, some of which are home to black coral. This site is known for its diverse marine life, including dogsharks, seven gill sharks, spiny seadragons, butterfly perch, and jock stewarts. The presence of black coral adds to the underwater landscape.
Marakura Bay
Marakura Bay features a stony shoreline located at the southeastern end of Te Anau township. This site is accessible via a shore entry and has a gentle slope that quickly transitions to a steep drop-off. Divers can reach depths of 20 meters with only a short swim from the shore. The underwater environment includes scattered small Koura, while the silty bottom supports limited marine life, primarily consisting of small freshwater sponges.
Penguin Cove
Penguin Cove is characterized by a shallow shelf that transitions into a rocky reef, sloping down at a 45-degree angle towards deeper waters. The site is notable for its large black coral trees, which are abundant along the points. The cove features steep walls on both sides, providing opportunities for wall diving. Marine life includes a variety of species such as yellow zooanthids, kelp, tube anemones, nudibranchs, brittle stars, snake stars, dogsharks, rays, eels, octopus, and a significant population of crayfish.
Post Office Rock
Post Office Rock features a rocky reef characterized by vibrant kelp and a gentle slope leading to a sandy bottom at a maximum depth of approximately 25 meters. The area is populated with a variety of reef fish, including wrasses, marblefish, tarakihi, dogharks, butterfly perch, and pufferfish. Divers may also encounter octopus and the occasional seven gill shark in this biodiverse environment.
Sinbad Gully
Sinbad Gully is an inner Fiord dive characterized by steep walls and some reef structures. The site is home to various marine life, including black coral trees, tube anemones, wrasses, and perches. Divers may encounter seven gill sharks and dogsharks. The presence of a thicker freshwater layer is typical in this area, which can influence the underwater environment. The dive site is accessed from the shore.
Sunshine Bay
Sunshine Bay is situated at the Lake Whakatipu location, featuring a fault line with steep terraced cliffs that descend to depths beyond typical diving limits. The geological structure offers an intriguing freshwater wall dive experience. Divers may encounter various freshwater sponges along the walls, as well as freshwater mussels on the lake bed. The area is home to native freshwater species, including Tripplefins, Trout, and Long Finned Eels, which can often be spotted during dives.
The Triangle
The Triangle is an inner Fiord dive site characterized by a combination of rocky shorelines and sandy bottoms, alongside steep wall diving. A notable feature is a steep drop-off that hosts one of the largest black coral trees in the Fiord, located at a depth of approximately 18 meters, which has several carpet shark eggs attached. Divers can expect a thick layer of surface freshwater, resulting in darker underwater conditions. Marine life includes spiny seadragons, seven gill sharks, dogsharks, variable nudibranchs, wellington nudibranchs, and numerous tube anemones.
Walk the Dog Wall
Walk the Dog Wall is an advanced wall dive characterized by a steep cliff that descends to depths of at least 80 meters in certain areas. The site is notable for its large populations of butterfly perch and features prominent black and red corals, particularly in overhangs. Divers may also encounter dogsharks and tube anemones situated on ledges throughout the dive.