New Zealand’s southernmost island, Stewart Island boasts 700 kilometers of coastline. It is 64 kilometers long and 40 kilometers wide, with rugged granite terrain both above and below the water. With lush rainforests filled with parakeets, tui, kiwi and bellbirds, as well as seabirds like blue penguins, petrels and cormorants, and the rarer yellow-eye penguin; it is a haven for avian life as well as for marine life. With dozens of fantastic dive sites, many of which are suitable even for beginners, it is a peaceful getaway for divers, as well. Here are just a few of Stewart Island’s best dive sites to whet your appetite.
Marine Maid Wreck
The wreck of the Marine Maid, which is a 20 meter cargo vessel that sank after striking the Barclay Rocks in 2000, lies beneath 35 meters of water. Sitting upright and intact, she is accessible at 30 meters, and is already gaining a fantastic coating of brilliant ascidians, sponges, sea tulips, and other growth. As you explore, you will see an abundance of blue moki and triplefins, spotties and leatherjackets, blue cod, and wrasse. Sea perch and small blennies as well as larger conger and moray eels hide in little nooks and crannies, and an abundance of invertebrates adds even more color to this fantastic wreck. With strong currents most of the time, this site is suitable for divers with plenty of experience.
Leask Bay
A wonderful site for all divers, Leask Bay offers maximum depth at just 15 meters. Accessible from shore, the entry point is along the east side of the beach. Once in the water, follow the sandy bottom toward the rocks a short distance away, where you will find paua, beautifully colorful anemones, and lots of ascidians and sponges, as well as seahorses and pipefish, sea stars and sea tulips. Search the kelp forest for blennies and flatfish, and watch for the small dogfish which can be seen on occasion. From the end of the point, you can look out toward the open ocean, and see passing blue moki, terakihi, and a few pigfish.
Don’t be surprised if New Zealand fur seals join you on this dive, and you may encounter sea lions as well. Curious and playful, they will approach you when they see that you do not pose a threat. Though it may be tempting, never try to touch these creatures, as they can cause serious injury if threatened.
Sandhill Bay
An easy dive among brilliant green kelp forests, and home to blue cod, groupers, snappers, puau, and other fish, Sandhill Bay is fantastic for all divers. Located just outside Halfmoon Bay, on the coast of Native Island, it features calm, clear water and a sandy bottom that gradually slopes to a maximum depth of just 18 meters. Watch for curious conger eels and occasional larger pelagics, including kingfish. Among the rocks, you will find lovely coral and sponge growth, as well as a colorful array of invertebrates and crustaceans.
The William Denny Wreck
Auckland’s first inter-colonial steamer, the William Denny was a 595 ton steamer. Fitted with stained glass skylights and imitation maple scrollwork trimmed in gilt, she had marble washstands in the first class cabins, a piano, and a library for passengers to enjoy. Her galley was well-equipped, and the bridge boasted a brand new telegraph. In March of 1857, the four year old ship ran aground at North Cape. Repairs went well, and in May of 1858, she was once again declared seaworthy. Then, on June 7th, she was overtaken by a hurricane and lost to the sea’s icy grasp.
Today, the ship is still remarkably preserved, although she is somewhat broken and is covered from bow to stern in colorful growth. You can make out the bulwarks, machinery, and other fittings with ease, and the ship’s propeller is an excellent spot for photos. Look for sand daggers and trevally, moki and blue cod swimming about, and groupers, moray eels, congers, blennies, and shy perch hiding in the darker spaces. Lying beneath 40 meters of water, this wreck is suitable for expert divers only.
Port Pegasus
A very nice multi-level dive site, Port Pegasus boasts abundant kelp, where you can find everything from tiny sea horses with their tails wrapped around small side stalks, to New Zealand fur seals. With trumpeter fish and blue moki in abundance, as well as conger eels gliding from one hiding place to the next, it offers depths from 15 to 35 meters, and is usually quite calm. Along the deeper, outer edges of the forest, you can find larger kingfish and other hunters passing, with the brilliant blue of the open ocean beyond acting as a fantastic backdrop for wide angle photos.
Port Adventure
Home to a wealth of fish large and small, Port Adventure’s best dive site is Starling Point. Here, thick and colorful seaweed and kelp growth, lovely rock formations, and clear sandy patches host a wide array of invertebrates and crustaceans, brilliant anemones and sea urchins, and more. Look for octopus and the occasional dogfish as you make your way from one point to the next, and keep an eye out for well-hidden blennies and perch. Perfect for all divers, the site has a long, sloping profile with maximum depth at just 18 meters. Watch for trumpetfish, wrasse, blue cod, and more.
With cold, clear water that offers excellent visibility at most times, Stewart Island is an underwater photographer’s paradise. Visiting is easy, and there are quite a few options to consider as you plan your trip. You can either stay on the sparsely populated island itself, or you may decide to enjoy a liveaboard cruise. Last, but not least, you can take a charter from Bluff, or travel to the island on the passenger ferry. Bring your own equipment, as rentals cannot be assured. Finally, remember that these dive sites are remote, and never try to push the boundaries of your training and experience – instead, simply relax and enjoy these fantastic New Zealand eco-dives.