Kathryn Curzon.
Kiwis are spoilt for choice when it comes to deciding on an underwater ocean adventure, writes
With summer well underway it’s time to head to the coast to discover the best of New Zealand’s wild spaces. With more than 15,000 known marine species and numerous marine reserves, Kiwis have all the choice in the world for their next ocean adventure. Here are our Top 10 marine reserves:
Poor Knights Islands
It wouldn’t be a marine reserve article without mentioning the Poor Knights Islands and the incredible diving found there. Located just off the coast of Tutukaka in Northland, Jacques Cousteau rated the area as one of the top 10 dives in the world, and rightly so. These islands offer diving year-round, numerous dive sites, and the opportunity to dive and snorkel with abundant fish life, sharks, rays and occasionally orca. It offers some of the best subtropical diving in New Zealand. Snorkelling and boatbased tours are also available for non-divers wanting to immerse themselves in the reserve’s rich history.
Tawharanui
Tawharanui is great for families and easily accessible, located just a 90-minute drive north of Auckland on the Takatu Peninsula. It is a perfect summer getaway with po¯ hutukawa trees lining white sand beaches, safe swimming and rock pooling. The most popular swimming beach is Anchor Bay and boats can be launched from Omaha. Surfing is also popular and divers can enjoy the reefs offshore.
Kapiti Island
Kapiti Island near Wellington is great for guided day tours and overnight stays to experience the diverse bird life of the island, including Little spotted kiwi, blue penguins and Ko¯ kako.
Those wanting to explore the water can also kayak, dive and snorkel around Kapiti to enjoy the plentiful reef fish, rays, whales and dolphins.
It is also worth keeping an eye out for the occasionally sighted basking and great white sharks.
Long Island – Kokomohua
This reserve is tucked away in the Marlborough Sounds and is a great getaway for families. Only accessible by boat from Picton, it has sandy beaches, reefs and dramatic landscapes.
A number of DoC campsites are in the area and activities include guided wildlife tours of the outer islands, diving, snorkelling and swimming. Kayakers may see common, bottlenose or dusky dolphins, and also seals during the winter. The reefs along the north-facing shore of Long Island and around the Kokomohua Islands offer the best scuba diving.
Horoirangi
This marine reserve north of Nelson is worth visiting for the Cable Bay Walkway and panoramic views across the ocean. The rocky shoreline is at least once to experience the staggering landscapes from a Milford Sound cruise, and to visit Dusky and Breaksea Sounds for whale and albatross watching.
The diving is unique and offers highlights such as the famous black corals at Milford and Wet Jacket Arm, plus unique bright yellow glass sponges at Elizabeth Island.
Hautai Marine Reserve
Hautai is New Zealand’s most remote mainland reserve, two days’ walk from the nearest road end.
The reserve is home to New Zealand fur seals and Fiordland crested penguins, and is one for adventurous trampers. There are no formed walking tracks, and the reserve is halfway between Jackson Bay and Milford Sound. Guided and unguided walking is available.
Antipodes Island
Antipodes Island is the most remote of the subantarctic islands and offers an adventure well off the beaten track. The sheer diversity of life found here makes the subantarctic islands comparable to the Galapagos.
Antipodes Island is the main breeding ground for the Antipodean albatross and is one of only two breeding grounds in the world for the erect-crested penguin. There has been almost zero fishing around the island, making it one of the least disturbed areas of New Zealand. Antipodes Island is accessible by subantarctic adventure cruises. Kathryn Curzon is a diver and writer for Liveaboard.com.