Explore North Island

Located closest to the equator, New Zealand’s North Island experiences the countries warmest water temperatures as well as some incredible scuba diving. On the northern peninsula of the North Island, Paihia is the gateway to the towering walls, caves, tunnels and historically-significant wrecks of the Bay of Islands, where manta rays and sea turtles can be observed. Bathed in the warm water of the East Auckland Current, the Tutukaka Coast and the surrounding sites create a sub-tropical environment inviting tropical fish to mingle with New Zealand’s resident temperate species.

From Tutukaka, the Poor Knights Islands - world-renowned for some of the best sub-tropical diving on the planet - can be reached. This designated marine reserve features a web of tunnels, caves, arches, grottoes, chimneys and spectacular drop-offs. The site is home to the southern hemisphere’s largest sea cave - the Riko Riko Cave where there are dozens of dive sites to explore while in the cathedral-like dome of the cave. If you plan to scuba dive in the Poor Knights Islands, the City of Whangarei is the ideal place to stay, with only a 30-minute drive to the Tutukaka Coast. Several bays around the Tutukaka Coast and Taiharuru area are ideal for scallop diving.

In the Bay of Plenty, several wrecks can be explored just outside of Tauranga Harbour. Both the MV Rena and Taioma Wreck have become thriving artificial reefs that are accessible by advanced divers. At Warkworth, venture into the Hauraki Gulf for your chance to dive with hammerhead sharks while from Auckland, liveaboards and dive trips are offered to all the best sites of the North Island. In the southernmost city of Wellington, the water temperature drops and rugged rocky reefs and seaweed forests dominate.