The Canterbury anemone spawn revisited

Based in Deep Water Cove in Northland, the wreck of the HMNZS Canterbury sits in about 36 metres to the sand.

Local dive operators in the north have figured out to the minute when the anemones spawn and, as they have been doing this for several years now, they have got the timing off pat.

I first did the anemone spawning last year and was instantly hooked. I did it again this year in June, and I’m already booked for next year.

"I first did the anemone spawning last year and was instantly hooked. I did it again this year in June, and I’m already booked for next year.

Weather conditions this year at first were not the best and we were unable to get to the wreck for the first day of spawning. Hearts sank. We worry about what the conditions will be like the following day. Then we get to go and dive from MacQuarie Bay in the sheltered parts of the headland anyway.

The following day dawns and early on we are off to the wreck. Excitement builds. We tie up to the floats marking the site. The water temp is a lovely 17 degrees, water vis is pretty good at 15 metres. We head to different parts of the wreck to hunt for the best locations for the anemone show.

I remember well where I went last year and it went off then so again I head there. Other scuba divers have already found my spot X too, and are hanging around.

Fortunately for me they either get bored due to anemones not spawning yet, or due my camera system’s video lights on full beam illuminating everything in their paths. They swim off.

Visibility drops

Not long after getting there the action starts to happen. Very quickly water clarity disappears. Visibility drops to more like three metres.  
Anemones spawn in sequence, in clumps either all male or all female, and they are found along the rails of the ship, on the radio tower, anywhere a free space is available to attach to and make their home.

Colours vary from yellows to reds, to cream with brown tentacles, and of course bright orange and pinks. So many amazing colours!

Males and females?

The males have a white colouration inside the truck of the anemone (sperm), while the females display a stunning orange glow with their eggs clearly visible inside of them.
Once one anemone starts to release, the rest set off. It's totally fascinating seeing such a phenomenon take place right in front of you, in real time, with huge clouds of male sperm releasing to coincide with the females letting their eggs free into the water column.

Fish feast

Huge schools of Sweep, Blue Maomao, snapper and even kingfish congregate around the wreck, each eager to get in on the feast right there and then. The water becomes a cloudy mass of spawning soup.
I focus on the clump I had settled in front of, watching intently as they do their thing, happily snapping away as they do.

The spawn goes on for about 40 minutes, and with several good photos in the camera I head to the mooring line to start my ascent and safety stop. Being on Nitrox is great but with all the colour and distractions you need to make sure you keep an eye on your NDLs.

Back on the boat everyone is fizzing as we head into the bay for a lunch break. Make-your-own sandwiches are on offer with many eats to choose from - its great food!

Crested weedfish

After an extra-long lunch to off-gas we head back out for our second dive of the day. The anemones are still spawning sporadically; more photos are taken.
And after watching awhile I decide to head off in search of a sighting of a crested weedfish I previously found nearby, and I’m not disappointed. I manage to locate him or her (I have no idea how to tell!).

Safety stop completed we head to the surface. The atmosphere is just so exuberant back on the boat with everyone bursting with excitement over what we have seen.

I just know I will be coming back as often as I can. Macro photography on the Canterbury is fast becoming my go-to photography for fun.

When does the Jewel Anemone spawn happen?

Generally speaking, the jewel anemone happens the day after the full moon in June or July. It's best to contact one of the operators below well in advance to get their thoughts on when to make a booking.

How to get there?

There’s three local options:

• Paihia Dive (www.divenz.com)
  
• Dive Zone Bay of Islands (www.divezoneboi.co.nz)
  
• Northland Dive (www.northlanddive.com).
  

They offer access to other iconic dive destinations in the region including the Poor Knights, the Canterbury Wreck, the Rainbow Warrior, Danger Rocks and Cape Brett’s Hole in the Rock. I went with Dive Northland located 50 mins from Whangarei in an old, converted cowshed which proves an excellent location for heading out.

For your anemone spawning adventure you should plan to stay for two days. The boat ride out to Deep Water Cove is short, and the wreck easy to access with large holes cut into it for anyone wanting to penetrate (With suitable qualifications a must of course!).