Butterfly Wall

Divesite Image
© Descend NZ, 9600 Southland

Butterfly Wall

★★★★☆ (24)

Butterfly wall starts in a sheltered cove with gently sloping stoney sandy bottom down to rocky sandy reef. Turns into a steep wall dive on both sides.

Site is dominated by kelp and large schools of butterfly perch. and some wrasses. Some small black coral can be found on the wall aspects.

Dive Activity

Courses and Events

Fiordlands

Fiordlands

Fiordlands 2026Fiordland Liveaboard Adventure – Spearfishing, Hunting & DivingJoin us for an unforgettable expedition into one of New Zealand’s most remote and spectacular environments – Fiordland. This liveaboard adventure with Legacy Sea Charters is the ultimate trip for ocean lovers, combining scuba diving, spearfishing, and hunting in a place few people ever get to experience properly.Over multiple days aboard a fully equipped vessel, we’ll explore Fiordland’s dramatic fjords, steep walls, and deep-water ecosystems. The region is famous for its black coral forests, huge crayfish, and incredible visibility beneath the freshwater layer. Every dive here feels like entering another world.Between dives, you’ll have the opportunity to spearfish for premium species and take part in guided hunting excursions on shore, making this trip a true wilderness adventure both above and below the water.Expect:Spectacular Fiordland scuba divingSpearfishing opportunities in remote watersGuided hunting excursionsComfortable liveaboard accommodationEpic scenery, wildlife, and unforgettable divesWhether you're chasing the next level of adventure or ticking Fiordland off your dive bucket list, this trip delivers the full experience.Spots are limited due to the remote nature of this expedition.

June 17, 2026 +8 More
$3,262.93
NZ$5,500.00

Potential Wildlife Sightings

Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 300

Alamy/Reinhard Dirscherl
Octopus

Octopus
4 Sightings
J
0
F
4
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
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0
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0
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O
0
N
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0
AdobeStock-wildestanimal
Common Dolphin

Common Dolphin
1 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
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0
O
0
N
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0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 7

iStock-Michael Zeigler
Sea Lion

Sea Lion
1 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
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0
O
0
N
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D
0
iStock/Howard Chen
Blue Shark

Blue Shark
1 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
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0
O
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D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 60

iStock-Global_Pics
Spiny Lobster

Spiny Lobster
4 Sightings
J
0
F
2
M
1
A
1
M
0
J
0
J
0
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0
S
0
O
0
N
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0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 3000

SSI-Peter-Schinck
Nudibranch

Nudibranch
3 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
2
A
0
M
1
J
0
J
0
A
0
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0
O
0
N
0
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0
Alamy-WaterFrame
Common Seahorse

Common Seahorse
2 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
2
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
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O
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0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 130

Shutterstock_Krzysztof Odziomek
Butterfly Fish

Butterfly Fish
2 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
1
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 85

iStock-mirecca
Surgeonfish

Surgeonfish
2 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
1
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
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O
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N
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D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 100

iStock-burnsboxco
Parrotfish

Parrotfish
2 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
1
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
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N
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D
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Show More

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 130

AdobeStock-JirinaVFR
Pufferfish

Pufferfish
2 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
1
A
0
M
1
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 8

Alamy-Reinhard Dirscherl
Bannerfish

Bannerfish
2 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
1
A
0
M
1
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
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The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 19

Alamy-Alex Mustard
Seal

Seal
1 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
1
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
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O
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N
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D
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AdobeStock-Marc Henauer
Grey Reef Shark

Grey Reef Shark
1 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
1
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 130

iStock-Christian von Mach
Pipefish

Pipefish
1 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
1
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 190

Alamy-Water Frame
Conger Eel

Conger Eel
1 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 90

Shutterstock-Rich Carey
Angelfish

Angelfish
1 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 12

iStock/cinoby
Lionfish

Lionfish
1 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
1
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 150

Shutterstock-aquapix
Sweetlips and Grunts

Sweetlips and Grunts
1 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
1
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 40

iStock-wrangel
Triggerfish

Triggerfish
1 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
1
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 55

Shutterstock-RLS Photo
Lobster

Lobster
1 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
1
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 22

Shutterstock-andrzej_67
Cod

Cod
1 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
1
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 1500

iStock-ifish
Hard Corals

Hard Corals
1 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
1
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 3500

Unsplash-pascal van de vendel
Soft Corals

Soft Corals
1 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
1
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 950

Unsplash-Sonia Kowsar
Sea Urchins

Sea Urchins
1 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
1
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 1700

Shutterstock-Ethan Daniels
Sea Cucumbers

Sea Cucumbers
1 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
1
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
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0
O
0
N
0
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0

Dive Centers Catering This Dive Site

Sound Diving NZ

Sound Diving NZ

9600 Southland, New Zealand

Dive Sites Nearby

Descend NZ, 9600 Southland
Sinbad Gully <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.4)</span>

Sinbad Gully (★4.4)

Inner Fiord dive with some reef and steep walls. Some black coral trees, tube anemones, wrasses, perches and a chance for seven gill and dogshark shark encounters.
Descend NZ, 9600 Southland
The Triangle <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.6)</span>

The Triangle (★4.6)

This inner Fiord dive site is a mix of rocky shoreline leading onto sand plus steep wall diving. There is a steep drop-off that houses one of the largest black coral trees in the Fiord at about 18 meters that has a few carpet shark eggs attached. Generally a thick surface freshwater layer and darker conditions.
Descend NZ, 9600 Southland
Harrison Cove <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.7)</span>

Harrison Cove (★4.7)

Dive Site starts out on shallow gravel bottom composition to 45 degree sloping muddy sandy bottom with a few rock outcrops with some growth of black coral. Sharky site.
Descend NZ, 9600 Southland
Bridal Veil <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.8)</span>

Bridal Veil (★4.8)

Bridal Veil is a gentle sloping site, starting at Bridal Veil beach with a wall extending out all the way to Copper Point. Generally sheltered training site in the shallow part.
Descend NZ, 9600 Southland
Walk the Dog Wall <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.8)</span>

Walk the Dog Wall (★4.8)

Walk the dog Wall is an extreme wall dive site with a towering cliff above extending to at least 80 meters depth on parts of the wall. Main features are black and red coral, butterfly perch and dogsharks.
Descend NZ, 9600 Southland
Cray’s Crack <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.6)</span>

Cray’s Crack (★4.6)

This marine reserve site has a rocky reef extending on a 45 degree slope to about 18 meters before turning to sand. Turns into steep wall with initially a seafloor shelf at 20 meters but dropping off to around 80 meters in parts. Rich in black coral and crayfish.
Descend NZ, 9600 Southland
Dale Point <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.3)</span>

Dale Point (★4.3)

This marine reserve site is a mix of wall dive with steep drop offs and some reef. Abundant in large black coral, yellow zoanthids and plenty of fish life.
Descend NZ, 9600 Southland
Penguin Cove <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.6)</span>

Penguin Cove (★4.6)

This marine reserve site starts on shallow shelf. From here a rocky reef slopes to deeper waters on a 45 degree angle. Features large black coral trees. Both sides of the cove turn into steep and deep wall dives.
Descend NZ, 9600 Southland
Dale Green <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.7)</span>

Dale Green (★4.7)

Dale Green features a varied site with some reef and steep wall aspects. Walls drop to 80 meters depth close to shore. Large black coral trees and abundant fish life around them. Has red coral colonies in overhangs.
Descend NZ, 9600 Southland
Greenstone Beach <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★5.0)</span>

Greenstone Beach (★5.0)

Greenstone Beach features a rocky shoreline starting at 5 meters depth with a sloping 45 degree rocky reef with large boulders dotted along the coastline.
Descend NZ, 9600 Southland
Greenstone Point <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.7)</span>

Greenstone Point (★4.7)

Wall dive suitable for deep and technical diving profiles extending to a max depth of 90m. Greenstone Point is located on the southern side of the entrance to Milford Sound.
Descend NZ, 9600 Southland
Post Office Rock <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.4)</span>

Post Office Rock (★4.4)

This near coastal features a colourful kelpy rocky reef and drops off gently to sandy floor at about 25 meters max. Abundant with reef fish and the occasional seven gill shark.
Descend NZ, 9600 Southland
Fox Cove <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.7)</span>

Fox Cove (★4.7)

Located on the outer Fiord this site features a rocky reef to sandy bottom with a max depth of around 20 meters depending where in the cove. Exposed in north to northwest winds and sheltered in southwesterly wind directions.