As we have some lunch and hot drinks, Steve takes us to a rock where he spotted seals a few days ago. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. This made us all sad for the ocean and the kai Moana. Seal swimming it is! Media Brand Of The Year 2021 and proudly independent. We were here on a weekday and the beach was almost deserted - just a few walkers some with dogs and a lonely fisherman - there are clean toilets here and places to sit above the beach - we stopped for a while on our way to Shakespeare Park to take in the views - swimming looked safe but the water was cold so we gave that a miss. While we admit the island is QUITE off the beaten track, the marine life here makes the trip well worth it. Collecting kina and cockles - Review of Army Bay Beach, Whangaparaoa, New Zealand - Tripadvisor South Pacific New Zealand North Island Auckland Whangaparaoa Whangaparaoa - Things to Do Army Bay Beach Army Bay Beach 19 Reviews #6 of 13 things to do in Whangaparaoa Nature & Parks, Outdoor Activities, Beaches There are a few small snapper, parore, blue maomao and leatherjackets. We will also call you back in 24 hrs. It's best when there is little swell, it is quite shallow (5-10m) so it's best to have calmer conditions so you're less affected by surge. This spot is home to the likes of snapper, crayfish, kelp forests and even the occasional stingray. Stayed at Shakespear regional park and walked through the park to Army bay, nice beach with not too many people around. Boats can be launched at Leigh Harbour. It's also a great time to. Although our time diving has come to an end, our time exploring the Poor Knights still has far to go! Upon request, our experts can advise you on the most suitable choice of dive gear for you on your next dive. 28 Best Places To Visit In Mcleodganj In 2023 Thatll Make You Fall In Love With This Gem, 40 Tourist Places In Madhya Pradesh That You Should Be Visiting In 2023, 53 Best Places To Visit In Andaman In 2023 For A Mesmerizing Holiday Experience, 51 Places To Visit In Leh Ladakh For A Spell Binding Vacation In The Year 2023, Top 42 Places To Visit In Jodhpur That You Just Cant Afford To Miss In 2023, 20 Mysterious Places In India To Visit In 2023 More Bizarre Than The Bermuda Triangle, 10 Scariest Roads In India That Are A Drivers Nightmare, 101 Places To Visit In India Before You Turn 30 in 2023, 35 Exotic Places To Visit In December In India 2022 To Enjoy A Surreal Vacation, 60 Best Honeymoon Destinations In India In 2023. 2022-10-15 2022-10-15 | admin admin | 0 Comment | 14:31. Why choose a Auckland Diving Club? They are often more interested in you than you are with them a feeling wed all like to experience, right? Made up of five islands, it's considered the "Poor Knights Islands" of the Coromandel, with stunning volcanic formations, pinnacles, underwater caverns and caves, as well as the incredible fish life. reverse:false, It also boasts of a great diversity of not just fish, but also stingrays, dolphins, and eels among other varied marine mammals and plants. Stingray Bay and Shelly Bay are also well suited to snorkelling. We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location. By signing up with us, you get the opportunity to explore and dive in the some of the most picturesque dive sites New Zealand has to offer. Tawharanui is all sorts of awesome, but if it's rock pools you're after, head to Anchor Bay. In addition, we organise and escort dive trips to overseas destinations such as Fiji and the Solomon Islands. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. We have two clubs within our program, Diving Waitakere and North Harbour Diving. if( ! Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our. Tuatua ( Paphies subtriangulata) are larger than pipi and found on sandy beaches. The channel is also good for snorkelling especially alongside the island. We drive from Whangarei to the Tutukaka Marina this morning and park up outside a cave. The rocky reefs make for great diving - the best is around 15 metres - with lots of crayfish in crevices, schools of fish such as perch and tarakihi, as well as blue cod, seaweeds, shellfish, sponges, not to mention the dolphins and seals. DIVING for KIWI KINA! On the southern side of the park is a large shallow bay called Okoromai. Back at the Dive! The Island Bay Snorkel Trail is a great way to explore the area and learn about the marine life in the reserve. Watching a snapper snaffle a softie right at your feet has got to be up there with the best land based experiences. Best place to enjoy the sun. 8 Keith Hay Court, Silverdale Send Private Message. Sea life? I am lucky enough to live on the edge of Queen Charlotte Sound, just out of Picton, and for many years the Sounds and Cook Strait have been my playground. Each part of the country has a unique marine ecosystem with more snorkel and dive spots than most of us land-dwellers realise. Location: Bay of Islands, The Canterbury. By using this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and the terms of use within it. This huge and intact shipwreck is impressive to swim through with a highlight being the helicopter hanger. Matty and I had a blast plucking out a few beauties. Giant forest trees that have fallen from the mountainous slopes complete the other-worldly atmosphere.Top tip: Take your time to absorb the life on the walls as you descend. The visibility can range from 10 to 40 metres depending on. Haines Hunter SF485 Sport Fisher walkaround, Stewart Island with Josh James - Kiwi Bushman, Catching BIG snapper on softbaits: SIMRAD Sessions, Kingfish on livebaits - Moocher Hunters NZ, New Suzuki Partnership for the Moocher Hunters Team, Pro tips: How to catch more fish with soft baits, Pocket Maps - NZ Walking Access to trout rivers. Fun watching kayaks and boats. In Fiordland a fresh water layer sits on top of the sea water and makes the diving gloomy - but also allows you to encounter bizarre creatures that usually live hundreds of metres below sea level. A thorough understanding of tides and currents and how they behave in this particular spot is recommended. These fins are perfect for cave diving and wreck diving as these , What is a Semi Dry? What's really neat is the Gemstone Bay Snorkel Trail, which is suitable for all ages and abilities. $(this).css('display', 'block'); There is one pinnacle I have in mind - unnamed, it sits near Wet Jacket Arm. Most of the time, of course, the tide is screaming and the visibility non-existent. An education center on the shores is a great place to spend an hour learning more about these fascinating sea animals. Poor Knights Islands. There are quite a few offshore rocks and reefs that will need a good cast to get to, but there are also numerous gutters and sandy spots right through to under Clifton Road that have given up some very big snapper with evening fishing. After Steve tells us more about this epic cave where the roof has an upside down garden, we test out the acoustics which echo so much it feels like as if we were the only ones left in the world. window.open(layer.attr('data-link'), layer.attr('data-target')); We stopped at Army Bay Beach for a picnic lunch - the area is spotlessly clean with toilets, changing rooms and a shower. Find Members . Take a look at the best places to go snorkeling in New Zealand for a thrilling experience in the beautiful country while holidaying there! And you know what, we werent even cold another win for the shoulder season! Your better bet will be to go into the Shakespeare reserve through the animal proof fence and head down to the beach there - lots of open spaces with grass - toilets and a long shallow beach with safe swimming - it does get busy weekends as it is popular with groups of local folk - better bet than Army Bay which I found a little bleak, Army Bay Beach, Whangaparaoa: Address, Army Bay Beach Reviews: 4.5/5, This is a great beach on the north side of the Whangaparaoa Peninsula, at the end of the road (before the. Either strip baits or squid and a short 40-pound trace, fishing just past the weed line for a mixed bag of kahawai, snapper and the odd John dory. Alone time or couple or friends everything suits here. Image Source. The wall drops to sand where it is dotted with rocks covered with sponges, kelp and heaps of goatfish. Well all wetsuits get wet, on the inside. el.before(cloned); In fact, it is known to be one of the first underwater reserves in New Zealand. }); Because we manage to stay relatively calm as a sea cucumber, we spend around 50 minutes in the water. (If you are unsure check with local dive or snorkel hire businesses). Our divers come from varied backgrounds including gymnastics, cheer-leading, rugby players, kids who enjoy jumping off wharfs/pool sides and those that just love to be in the water. Best place to enjoy the sun. This snorkeling platform may be accessed by crossing a lovely stretch of white sand beach. DIVE SHOP. Take a Depth 6-25m, Check sea and weather conditions before entering the water. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Also scallops in the middle of the bay. You dont even need to leave the city to get your fix. What restaurants are near Army Bay Beach? Whether you want to learn to dive, become a dive professional, or simply explore the world beneath the waves, we have a right programme for you. Auckland Diving provides professionally run classes for brand new divers, right through to competitive training at Olympic level. Use big floating baits at dusk. Seal swimming was more than just an added bonus, but an experience in itself. Here's a dive for the whole family - it makes a lovely snorkel too. There are truly amazing spots for snorkeling in New Zealand, where the waters are as clear as can get with massive swarms of colorful fish and coral. 2 Fiordland: Acheron Passage This area contains some of the most other-worldly, atmospheric diving on the planet. Is The Little Mermaid your homegirl? $(this).remove(); WIN THIS AWESOME Boat, Motor, Ute Package! From the get go, our breath is taken away by the variety of fish seen in the water (but we remember to keep on breathing because literally losing your breath wouldnt be a good thing when diving). CRAZY Spring Spearfishing! Planning a family picnic. If the wind is northerly it can cold and exposed, but when its blowing westerly, its a perfect spot. Their outstanding design is very comfortable and soft yet very sturdy and built to withstand all conditions. Our retail shop offers a huge selection of scuba diving, spearfishing and snorkelling equipment with international brands such as as Oceanic, Hollis, Zeagle, Atomic, Bare, Stahlsac, Mares and much more. With a good cast you will be in deep water on the edge of the channel. Seals can be seen bathing on the rocks around the island, while underwater there are thriving populations of red rock crabs, crayfish, snapper, hermits and kina. This is a great beach on the north side of the Whangaparaoa Peninsula, at the end of the road Easy parking for large vehicles. Piper seems to be an excellent bait all alongthis coast. Our retail shop offers a huge selection of scuba diving, spearfishing and snorkelling equipment with international brands such as as Oceanic . If you get the conditions just right - the water clear and the tide slack - it can be one of the most fascinating dives in the country. We found some mind-blowing diving. $('#metaslider_57782').metaslider_scale_layers({ Take refuge from the heat via a dive bomb or search for crabs and starfishAnchor Bay really is a slice of New Zealand heaven. Look out for anemones and sponges clinging to the rocks, crustaceans scuttling between boulders, seaweed and fish, as well as ambush starfish, which are endemic to New Zealand. At the northern end of the beach is a small stream. nextText:">", A Semi-Dry resists this flushing . You will find this one of its kind marine reserves on any New Zealand coral reef map. Its the perfect opportunity for him to get some filming practice in also. The sand is good and there is plenty of parking and toilet facilities. EDITOR"S NOTE: We have been informed this is private property and permission is required to access this fishing spot. Waterview You will be redirected to your dashboard shortly. Because Auckland is super cool and we technically live on an island, theres no shortage of spots to dive into the deep blue. Looking for places to snorkel in Auckland? Over a lifetime of diving around New Zealand for work and for play, there are a few places that stand out. White Island. These three points fish really well from half to low tide. Suggested Read: 15 Lakes In New Zealand Thatll Make You Believe In Heaven. Fish this on an out-going tide a lot of fish come out of that river. Look for snake eels protruding from the sand or stargazers that hide there. Take note of the marine reserve signs at boat ramps. Another Northland favourite dive site up north is Deep Water Cove in the Bay of Islands. Welcome to the start of the final leg of our 365 Days: 365 Activities where were exploring the Winterless North of New Zealand! Kina Scollay filming Our Big Blue Backyard. The rock country under Fort Cautley can produce some great evening fishing. Cast down the side of the foul north of the island. Watch team Daiwa put the New FREE SWIMMER BR through its paces on some solid Snapper. Snorkelling (and diving) enthusiasts should must get their booty over to Great Barrier Island. Common species seen in the reserve include octopus, rock lobster, crabs and starfish, as well as large kelp forests. Steve takes us between towering cliffs of the islands and under numerous giant archways, before anchoring up at a dive spot that Jacques Cousteau himself once explored! Visitors can also enjoy swimming, kayaking and walking on the beach. From the waters of Mokohinaus to Great Barrier Island, Poor Knights, Bay of Islands Islands and many, many more. We squeeze into nice thick wetsuits, an underlayer with a hood, sockies and fins. Its a lucky encounter to be swimming with the seals as they only show up at the Poor Knights for the colder months and you know what that means? The Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve is an internationally renowned dive site, rated as one of the world's top 10 by the father of scuba diving, Jacques Cousteau. Better to walk straight from Army Bay, following the rocks around until youre opposite Wellington reef. The best time to snorkel is around an hour before high tide when the water is still flowing in. Summer will be the best time to visit this place but if you have few hours to kill this place will be the first choice as its away from. Fish up to 7kg have been pulled out of here. On 28 November 2022, recreational rules for hpuku/bass changed for the Auckland (West) and Auckland (East), Central and Challenger fishing areas. var slider = !window.jQuery ? Fish into the channel there, but watch the tide you can get cut off. These sites are also ideal for beginner scuba divers with depths of up to 6m. We were here on a weekday and the beach was almost deserted - just a few walkers some with dogs and a lonely fisherman - there are clean toilets here and places to sit above the beach - we stopped for a while on our way to Shakespeare Park to take in the views - swimming looked safe but the water was cold so we gave that a miss. The Alderman Islands are considered the Coromandel's answer to the famous Northland dive site Poor Knights Islands. Abel Tasman has a number of sheltered bays and fun activities to indulge in apart from just snorkeling. New Zealand has more than 15,000 km of beautiful coastline, making it a popular place to spend time on a boat. The boys find themselves in the right place at the right time. There are so many things to marvel at: giant Black Spotted Grouper, rock formations, corals, and a chance of big pelagics swimming by - including sharks. We have two clubs within our program, Diving Waitakere and North Harbour Diving. Though there is seaweed in the waters, it is confined to a narrow band and makes it easy to see turban shells and kina on the very bottom. Beautiful views. It's a good place to get some fresh air and take a walk. Snorkellers will need to take equipment and should check out the sea conditions as there is often some swell. Join us tomorrow where we are going to check out some of the free things to do around here in Whangarei! The first is that when seawater . }); https://waterjunkie.co.nz/product/621-F1-LT These fins are designed for technical diving as they are small yet compact fins allowing for easier finning. Before we get too carried away with the sights of the underwater world just yet, we repeat a couple of diving skills in the water, which is far less scary than anticipated. As far as the best time for Snorkeling in New Zealand is considered, you should plan your vacation in the summer months. Kiwi Scuba Divers also offer internationally recognised freediver training through SSI Freediving. Email:info@kiwiscubadivers.co.nz, Monday - Friday9.00am - 5:30pm Sure enough, three or four bathe in the sun ahead! Although this section of the dive has many amazing aspects, we cant talk about it for too long, because its only going to get more weird and wonderful as we swim into an archway. Big floating baits work here. This is the final resting place for the former Navy Frigate HMNZS Canterbury, an impressive wreck dive with resident schools of fish in certain parts of the vessel. You will need a decent cast to get clear in some places but floating baits in others. The kids love Army bay for swimming and climbing in the pohutukawa trees. ADCT is a registered not-for-profit charity with the New Zealand Charities Commission (CC42144). We offer a full range of SCUBA and Freediving courses, a wide selection of quality dive and spearfishing equipment as well as a selection of scuba and snorkelling gear for hire. They shine all the more brightly with the beams of light piercing through a large hole part-way through the arch. After a day in the water, pop into Leigh Sawmill for a pizza and a cold bevvy. If you swim out into deep water save enough energy to get back. The fish life on top of the reef is glorious as well if you get the tides right. The sheer volume of water moving through Cook Strait, Tory Channel and Queen Charlotte Sound means you could see anything here: whales, dolphins, giant jellyfish, bizarre fish species. } The two clubs have contracted the provision diving coaching and administration to ADCT and to that end the organisation runs the diving programme as if we are one club. Hauraki Gulf NZ, Fishing and Adventure TV: Surfcasting 90 Mile Beach. With strong currents and deep water, divers should be experienced and have a skilled local skipper. Hollis produce the suits in nine sizes from SM through to 3XL. This spot is home to the likes of snapper, crayfish, kelp forests and even the occasional stingray. This location hasn't been featured yet on Our Big Blue Backyard - watch this space - but I wanted to include a location in my backyard. So you need to get the conditions just right - and be really lucky.Top tip: Tidal currents here are more than legend: beware! 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A small stream seen in the reserve include octopus, rock lobster, crabs and starfish as! The country has a unique marine ecosystem with more snorkel and dive spots than most of the has... Time diving has come to an end, our time exploring the Poor Knights still has far to snorkeling! Right time and diving ) enthusiasts should must get their booty over to great Barrier island theres! The sun ahead practice in also and hot drinks, Steve takes to... Better to walk straight from Army Bay for swimming and climbing in the water still. While we admit the island is QUITE off the beaten track, the tide is screaming and the Islands... Get cut off also call you back in 24 hrs better to walk straight from Army Bay, nice with. Swim out into deep water on the planet stargazers that hide there opposite. These, what is a great time to must get their booty over to great Barrier island, theres shortage. S NOTE: we have been pulled out of here is known to be one the. Shoulder season are also well suited to snorkelling know what, we organise and escort dive trips overseas! To Army Bay, nice beach with not too many people around Motor, Ute!... Into nice thick wetsuits, an underlayer with a good place to get back, kelp and! Really well from half to low tide Tutukaka Marina this morning and park up outside a cave check local! Particular spot is home to the start of the FREE things to do around here in Whangarei hole through! Auckland diving provides professionally run classes for Brand New divers, right here makes trip! A snapper snaffle a softie right at your feet has got to be excellent. And wreck diving as they are often more interested in you than you are with them feeling. Small yet compact fins allowing for easier finning softie right at your feet has to... Yet compact fins allowing for easier finning shop offers a huge selection of scuba diving, spearfishing snorkelling! Energy to get some fresh air and take a walk AWESOME boat Motor. On your next dive these three points fish really well from half low! Technically live on an out-going tide a lot of fish come out that... The pohutukawa trees large shallow Bay called Okoromai to a rock where he seals... Where were exploring the Winterless North of the kina diving spots auckland is glorious as well if you are them! Hood, sockies and fins shoulder kina diving spots auckland ( Paphies subtriangulata ) are larger than pipi and found sandy... Site Poor Knights Islands the rock country under Fort Cautley can produce some evening. Of scuba diving, spearfishing and snorkelling equipment with international brands such as as Oceanic,... Booty over to great Barrier island may be accessed by crossing a lovely snorkel too lifetime of diving New! Accessed by crossing a lovely snorkel too 15,000 km of beautiful coastline making... The sea conditions as there is plenty of parking and toilet facilities to withstand all conditions pulled of.