Dive sites in New Zealand
Browse by region, city or dive type to find suitable locations for your experience level.
Regions
All dive sites
Goat Island Marine Reserve
Auckland · Auckland Region · New Zealand
New Zealand's oldest marine reserve, where fearless snapper, blue maomao, and crayfish crowd the kelp-fringed rocky reefs just an hour from Auckland.
Tawharanui Marine Reserve
Auckland · Auckland Region · New Zealand
A pristine coastal marine reserve on the Tawharanui Peninsula where kelp forests, sandy flats, and sheltered rocky reefs support thriving populations of snapper and crayfish.
White Island (Whakaari)
Whakatane · Bay of Plenty · New Zealand
Diving around an active marine volcano where geothermal vents, sulphur-stained rocks, and nutrient-rich upwellings attract pelagic fish and unique volcanic formations.
Milford Sound
Te Anau · Fiordland · New Zealand
Dive beneath a freshwater layer into a twilight world where black coral trees thrive at just 8 metres in New Zealand's most dramatic fiord.
Poor Knights Islands
Tutukaka · Northland · New Zealand
Jacques Cousteau's pick for the world's top ten, a subtropical marine reserve where cathedral-sized caves, archways, and kelp forests teem with life.
Aramoana Mole
Dunedin · Otago · New Zealand
A historic harbour breakwater near Dunedin where tidal currents funnel nutrients into a surprisingly rich cold-water ecosystem featuring sea lions, blue cod, octopus, and dense invertebrate gardens on submerged stone walls.
Doubtful Sound
Te Anau · Southland · New Zealand
A remote Fiordland sound where a permanent freshwater layer creates unique conditions for deep-water black corals and rare species to thrive at accessible depths, offering an underwater experience unlike anywhere else on Earth.
Dive centers in New Zealand
Dive! Tutukaka
Tutukaka 0173 · Northland · New Zealand
Dive Now - Poor Knights Dive & Snorkel
Tutukaka 0110 · Northland · New Zealand
Perfect Day Ocean Cruise
Tutukaka 0173 · Northland · New Zealand
Northland Dive
3851 Russell Road · Northland · New Zealand
Paihia Dive
Paihia 0247 · Northland · New Zealand
Dive Zone Bay of Islands
Northland · Northland · New Zealand
Diving in New Zealand
Dive sites in New Zealand include reef, wall locations across Auckland Region, Bay of Plenty, Fiordland, Northland, Otago, Southland. Each location includes depth, conditions and environment type to help you plan safely.
Use the region and city navigation above to narrow your search, or explore individual site pages for detailed conditions, entry type, skill requirements and nearby alternatives.
FAQ
Is Goat Island suitable for beginner divers and snorkellers?
Goat Island is one of the best beginner dive and snorkel sites in New Zealand. The shore entry over a sandy beach is straightforward, depths are shallow at 3-18 metres, and the rocky reef starts just offshore. Snorkellers can see impressive marine life in just 2-3 metres of water. Several dive shops in the area offer introductory dives and courses at Goat Island, and it is a popular training site for new divers.
Why is the marine life at Goat Island so tame?
Goat Island became New Zealand's first marine reserve in 1975, meaning all fishing has been banned for over 50 years. Generations of fish have grown up without being hunted, resulting in remarkably fearless marine life. Snapper that would flee from divers outside the reserve here swim directly up to investigate. Crayfish emerge from crevices in broad daylight. Scientific studies have shown that snapper within the reserve are seven times more abundant and on average 40 percent larger than in nearby unprotected areas.
How do I get to Goat Island from Auckland?
Goat Island is located at Leigh, approximately 90 minutes' drive north of Auckland via State Highway 1 and Pakiri Road. There is a car park at the reserve with a small fee, and the main entry point is the sandy beach looking out toward the island. On-site facilities include a marine discovery centre and a glass-bottom boat for non-divers. Weekends in summer can be busy, so arriving early is recommended.
What is the difference between Tawharanui and Goat Island marine reserves?
Both are fully protected no-take marine reserves in the Auckland region, but Tawharanui tends to be less crowded as it is slightly further from Auckland and requires a longer drive through the Tawharanui Regional Park. Tawharanui also benefits from being an open sanctuary on land, where native birds like kiwi and takahe have been reintroduced, making it a combined marine and terrestrial conservation experience. The marine life is similar, with large snapper, crayfish, and blue maomao in abundance.
What are the best entry points for diving at Tawharanui?
The most popular shore entry is from Anchor Bay on the southern side of the peninsula, which offers sheltered conditions and an easy sand entry. The rocky reef begins within a few metres of shore and extends to depths of 15-20 metres. The northern side of the peninsula is more exposed but can offer better visibility. Snorkelling is excellent in the shallows of Anchor Bay, where snapper and leather jackets cruise in just a few metres of water.