Diving

The immediate coastline boasts great diving enjoyed by many divers from the Oakura area. And just 22 kms offshore lie the world famous Poor Knights Islands.

Local Diving

Whether you head north or south, from immediately outside the Whangaruru Harbour lie great skuba diving grounds. A favourite activity is diving for crayfish or just observing the rocky seaweed and fish inhabited terrain. A dive bottle filling station exists at the main Oakura camp ground.

World Famous Poor Knights Islands Diving

Just 22 kilomoters offshore from Oakura lie the Poor Knights Islands. These were named by Jacques Cousteau as one of the top 10 dive sites in the world. Cousteau would know, and Cousteau was right!

Separated from mainland New Zealand, the Poor Knights Islands are influenced by a warm current that originates in the Coral Sea, north of Australia. Water temperature is higher, and visibility significantly greater than in nearby coastal waters.

Tropical and subtropical life forms have become established among the diverse and multiple environments formed by the island's volcanic origins.

Underground caves, tunnels and archways are home to an extraordinary variety seaweeds and dense populations of friendly, colourful fish.

A number of dive charter operators take groups of divers on dive trips to the Poor Knights or dive the wrecks Tui and Waikato from nearby Tutukaka. Checkout Dive! Tutukaka for more information.