A diver's guide to Poverty Bay - East Coast

Dive Pacific's guide to this sunny edge of New Zealand which offers the travelling diver a whole untouched world of underwater exploration.

April 11, 2023
Divers guide to East Cape
Divers guide to East Cape
Photographer:

Poverty Bay was so named by the explorer Captain Cook as he was unable to provision his ship on arrival. When you dive this area you’ll realise that there is no poverty in these waters with an abundance of fish life.

From Gisborne to Lottin Point you can dive into some of the most magical dive sites. You’ll find soft corals, an abundance of crayfish and crystal clear pools to snorkel in. These interesting dive spots are located along the coast travelling north from Gisborne.

Lottin Point

The most northern spot of the East Coast. A good beginner’s dive with great shore diving. Crayfish and spear-fishing with a good photographic wall.

Te Tapuwae o Rongokako Marine Reserve

16 kilometres north of Gisborne is the marine reserve. A beginner’s dive. Underwater visibility can be low, on a calm day the deep channel running through the reef is a good place to dive. Blue moki and crayfish. A good introduction to diving.

Hicks Bay

A beginner’s dive. Crayfish, spearfishing and photographic. Schooling fish off the point.

Crayfish under the ledges.
Crayfish under the ledges.

East Island

Off East Cape on rare days is diveable. Watch for strong currents. Plenty of crayfish and schools of blue moki and tarakihi – it’s not uncommon to have a seal drop by. An advanced dive.

Waipiro Bay

A beginner’s dive with crayfish under the rocks with reef fish. Accessible from the shore. Exposed in the easterly and southerly wind.

Monowai Rocks

Very exposed to any swell, but when the blue water is in this is a great dive. Good for spearfishing and photography. An intermediate dive.

Curious snapper can be commonplace.
Curious snapper can be commonplace.

Penguin Rocks

Good for crayfish, spearfishing, with a great photographic wall. Kingfish, tuna and sharks all seen here. An advanced dive, 8–35 metres.

Aerial Reef

Renowned for its plentiful crayfish and schools of kingfish, an exciting dive spot. Located 10 kilometres south-east of Tatapouri and expands over a large area with depth ranging from 8–40 metres. A good photographic dive. Great spearfishing here. An advanced dive.

Tatapouri

A large reef. Fourteen kilometres north of Gisborne city, marine life includes crayfish, paua and kina, clustered beneath the ocean’s surface. A remote New Zealand dive site that boasts a boat ramp and warm tropical currents and climate in a lush, untouched environment. Keep an eye out for the friendly stingrays.

A ray glides effortlessly over sand.
A ray glides effortlessly over sand.

Makarori Beach

Recognised for its excellent surf, golden, sandy beaches and safe swimming spots, is a spectacular diving location. 12 kilometres north of Gisborne the reef offers an extensive marine life including sponges, soft corals and crayfish. A beginner’s dive.

Summary

Gisborne, situated in the Poverty Bay, is the first city in the world to see the sun each day. Located on the East Coast of the North Island. The Maori name for the district is Tairawhiti which means “the coast upon which the sun shines across the water”. With a lot of history in the region, there is opportunity to explore and experience part of New Zealand’s heritage. It’s a relaxed lifestyle with beautiful beaches and great diving and surfing.
For more information:
Dive Tatapouri
Dave and Chris Savage
SH 35, Tatapouri Beach
06 868 5153
www.divetatapouri.com

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