1)Kermadec Islands Marine Reserve. Lying 1000km north east of New Zealand is NZ's largest marine reserve. This place is truly awesome. Big drop-offs and Huge fish life. Being midway between tropical and sub tropical it has the best of both worlds though the bottom cover is sparse with a few hard corals and small weed growths. There are large spotted grouper here and Galapagos sharks are very plentiful.

2)Three Kings Islands. 64 km from Cape Reanga way north of NZ. These islands are my top worldwide dive site. Not for novice divers as seas and currents here are huge but so is the fish life and excitement factor. Also home to the wreck of the Elingamite a wreck from 1902 carrying gold and silver coins for NZ banks. At least half are still down there. For more see our trip report.

3)Cape Karikari/Matai Bay. Spectacular water clarity (sometimes). Sand and reef territory. Good variety of dives and fish life. Boat or road access Matai Bay - reefs and small Islands V to 30m. Good photography lots of sponges.

4)Cavalli Islands. Home of the greenpeace boat the Rainbow Warrior first sunk by the French in Auckland habour because of their anti nuclear stance. Now in 22-27 meters it makes an excellent wreck dive for all levels. Also home of many good scenic, cray and scallop dives. One of my favorite's is Taheke reef which drops from 8 to 45+ meters. Huge fish life and excellent vis but you must time the tides right

5)Cape Brett area. The peninsular and adjacent islands offer full range of diving to 30m. Cathedral Cave and Hole in the Wall tunnel and sea life abundant. Bird Rock excellent for pelagic species. Motutara Rock popular shallow reef. Deep Water Cove sandy down to 37m drop-offs Whakapae Bay to Karerarera Bay snorkeling and caves. Cape Brett to Waiwiri rock bottom, guts. Waiwiri Rock drop off to 24m. Waiwiri to Whangamumu snorkeling, scuba diving and sharks. Rawhiti Channel 10m scallop beds. Blue Maomao Reef and Piercy Island rocky formations, wall diving.