Touch stingrays

There are plenty of animals tourists may expect to pat during a visit to New Zealand: lambs, horses, maybe the odd deer or emu, an alpaca or two — but stingrays? Not at the top of the list.

Thanks to the demise of a well-known hunter of crocodiles, stingrays are often seen as scary shadows beneath the surface. But the folks from Dive Tatapouri are here in their waders and ready to change that way of thinking — friendly animals bumping

against the legs of initially nervous guests quickly dispel any negative preconceptions.

Commercial fisher Dean Savage and his wife Chris are used to visitors returning wet and happy. “People are always blown away by the rays. They can’t believe how cool they are, how graceful and beautiful,” says Chris.

There are a couple of ways to best experience the rays and their marine friends; wander onto the reef in provided waders or venture beneath the waters to snorkel alongside the eagle and short-tailed rays.

Dive Tatapouri is located in perhaps the best spot on the coast; guests can relax on the deck overlooking the bay and take in the sunset and watch resident ray Amanda splashing in the shallows. The tours are dependent on weather, sea and tide, so book in advance and phone ahead if unsure of the conditions. Winter tours are by appointment only. State Highway 35, Tatapouri, (06) 868 5153, divetatapouri.com