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The Poor Knights Marine Reserve: The Facts...
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Where is it? About the Poor Knights and Why it's worth a visit? Recommended dive sites? Poor Knights Gallery? Local operators? Poor Knights Web Sites and further reading?
The
Poor Knights Marine reserve is located 24 kilometers off Tutukaka on the Northland
Coast. It's about a two and a half hour journey from Auckland. See Map-
About the Poor Knights and Why it's worth a visit.
The Poor Knights islands are fully protected and have been to varying degrees since 1975 thanks to many peoples devotion to the marine life in the area, primarily Wade Doak; a passionate diver and conservationist.
The marine reserve consists of two main islands; Tawhiti Rahi to the North and Aorangi to the South and several pinnacles rising from the deep. It is widely regarded as the best diving to be had within a reasonable distance of the main centers in New Zealand. Typically the diving is clear and abundant in marine life.
There are hundreds of well known dive sites around the reserve, enough to keep any diver happy for quite some time. These dive sites range from novice, shallow sites to more advanced deep dives. The conditions at the islands are usually better than else where in New Zealand offering slightly warmer water, better visibility and given that the reserve is a island there is almost always protection from adverse weather conditions.
There are several fish species present within the reserve that are absent or extremely rare in the rest of New Zealand due to the well established protection within the Marine Reserve as well as warm water currents which hit the islands.
It's amazing that each year several species unknown to New Zealand are spotted at the Knights by the many keen divers exploring the waters. A great way to hear about these new discoveries, to hear about recent dive conditions, report a unusual sighting or get something you've seen identified is to keep check on the web site run by Wade Doak (see Poor Knights Web Sites and further reading below). Contributions to the "Divers Discussion Forum" include some of New Zealand diving legends, well known underwater photographers, top New Zealand Scientists, keen locals and divers like myself! It's well worth checking out and tracking prior to a visit to the Knights.
Sea Things Favorite Dive Sites
Northern Arch.
A trip to the Knights would not be complete without a dive at this site. It really is a mind blowing dive: amazing, huge underwater landscapes, tonnes of marine life and a ggod chance to see big fish!
The Arch is situated on the North West side of Tawhiti Rahi Island and looks pretty unimpressive until you get into the water. The arch plummets from just above the surface to well over 40 meters. The current is often running strongly through the arch which cuts straight through the cliff face. Time the dive right and you will have beautiful sunlight streaming in from the other side of the cliff.
Golden Snapper are common in the depths, Sting Rays congregate mid-water, Huge Kingfish cruise through the current with great ease, Pink and Blue Mao Mao hang under overhangs and small grouper and perch lie in wait for a tasty morsel to swim by. As well as the stunning fish life the walls are covered in a technicolour patchwork of encrusting organisms.
Blue Mao Mao Arch.
Situated just off the Southern side of Aorangi island to the northern side of Arch Way Island this site is an ideal second, beginner or even a night dive. The arch way is a baby in comparison to the vastness of Northern Arch but still impressive due to the array and sheer density of fish life within the archway. Huge schools of Blue Mao Mao are almost guaranteed along with occasional Kingfish, Pink Mao Mao, Banded Perch and even the rare Toad School Grouper.
Riko Riko Cave.
This cave is reportedly the largest sea cave in the Southern Hemisphere and potentially the world! When out on a live aboard (see listings below for local live-aboards) it's possible to anchor overnight within the cave and do a night dive within the cave. It is definitely best done as a night dive. During the dive it's possible to completely circumnavigate the cave and it's almost impossible to get lost (a great advantage on a night dive!).
During the night dive you'll see many fish species asleep and easy to approach as well as the occasional crayfish out for a stroll, rare nudibranchs which are never seen during the day and many more bizarre creatures.
There are hundreds of great sites at the Knights, here are just few more well worth checking out (if you can find them!). Please send any site suggestions with a brief description to be added.
Fraggle Rock, Tie Dye Arch, Red Baron Caves, Nursery Cove, Fred's Pinnacle, Cream Gardens, Landing Bay Pinnacle, Cleaner Fish Bay, Cave Bay, Jan's Tunnel (great snorkel), Middle Arch, Southern Arch, Eastern Arch etc. etc.
As well as the dive sites at the Marine Reserve there are also many great dive sites along the coast near Tutukaka including two wrecks; The Tui and The Waikato.
Want to recommend your favorite site (please do!), comment on a dive site or add to the description- e-mail the details and ideally GPS coordinated to: myfavedivesites@seathings.co.nz
All Photographs by Crispin Middleton, permission must be sought before using any of these pictures.
Please click on the image to open a larger image in a new window.
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Giant Boar Fish Landing Bay Pinnacle |
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Yellow Moray Eel Cream Gardens |
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Carpet Shark Nursery Cove |
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Yellow Moray South Harbor |
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Cave Bay |  |
The Norseman
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Clown Nudibranchs Tie Dye Arch |
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Scorpion Fish Landing Bay Pinnacle |
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Diadema Urchin Blue Mao Mao Arch |
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Perch Eastern Arch |
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Fire Brick Starfish Middle Arch |
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Divers in Northern Arch |
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Fire Nudibranch Blue Mao Mao Arch |
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Blue Mao Mao Baron Arch |
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Golden Snapper Northern Arch |
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Jelly Tie Dye Arch |
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The Norseman Riko Riko Cave |
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Leather Jacket and Two Spot Damsels Baron Arch |
Sea Things Favorite Operators:
Yukon Dive Charters, run by Noel and Jo. The best operator for day trips to the Knights, a small, fast boat that'll get you there in no time with a very friendly, fun service and a ton of knowledge about the area to go with it! One person to full boat charters and hire gear available. Guided or unguided dives.
Dive Poor Knights, run by Dave Abbott. A legendary boat in Tutukaka that has been working the waters in the area for many years. Formally operated by the diving legend Phil Bendle and now by the excellent photographer and naturalist Dave Abbott. This boat is ideal for trips to the Knights for a couple of days or more. Accommodation for six divers and compressor on board.
And the rest...
Pacific Hideaway, great for a first trip to the Knights or for large groups. A big boat but great atmosphere.
Dive Tutukaka, Good for beginners, trips almost every day.
Poor
Knights Web Sites and further reading?
Wade Doaks Poor Knights
Web Site (check out the diver discussion page): Wade's
World
Dave Abbotts Eye on the Sea: Eye on the Sea
Department of Conservation, New Zealand.
Poor Knights Wonderland, Glen Edney
Coastal Fish of New Zealand, Malcolm Francis
The Living Reef, Malcolm Francis
Please e-mail any web-site or book suggestions to: suggestions@seathings.co.nz