The Gardens

Welcome to an incredible dive site in New Zealand! This location offers a unique combination of boulder and sandy patches, providing divers with a consistently shallow and captivating experience. With a maximum depth of 17m, this spot is perfect for beginners and allows for easy exploration.

Located near Rikoriko Cave in Northland, New Zealand, this site offers remarkable visibility of up to 16m, allowing divers to fully immerse themselves in the stunning marine environment. The bay features a gradual descent, offering depths of 5-10m at the back and a plateau at 10-15m for about 500m from the wall. This area is teeming with a diverse range of marine life, including schools of snapper, moki, porae, triple fins, blennies, wrasses, pigfish, eels, rays, kingfish, trevally, goatfish, leatherjacket, maomao, scorpionfish, angelfish, nudibranches, flatworms, urchins, anemonies, corals, hydroids, and many more.

Exploration opportunities abound in this bay, particularly around the wall at the back where you will find cracks and archways waiting to be discovered. One standout feature is the stunning Shark fin cave, which offers a breathtaking view from the inside looking back out. As you enter the cave, you'll witness an array of fish species seeking safety in its vicinity. The entrance is beautifully illuminated with sunlight, showcasing the various shades of blue in the water.

Venturing further out from the bay, you'll encounter a slope leading you to a second sandy patch, which levels off around 18m. The back of the 'Great Wall' is situated to the left, enclosing this patch and providing an opportunity to spot stingrays and even encounter octopuses - a rarity in this dive destination. Night diving in this bay is a special experience, where lucky divers have encountered families of seahares cruising through the kelp.

The friendly wrasses in the bay often approach divers closely, exuding a curious nature. Schools of Koheru and Demoiselles frequently accompany divers, hoping to feed on any scraps kicked up during dives or seeking shelter beneath them. Thanks to the shallow depth, it's not uncommon to witness gannets or shags diving into the water to catch fish - a remarkable sight indeed! Keep your eyes peeled for other surprising encounters such as sunfish, dolphins, and even stories of orca sightings.

For those seeking lengthy and fish-oriented dives, complemented by abundant macro discoveries, this is the perfect bay for you. Dive here multiple times throughout the year to truly appreciate the wealth of offerings this site bestows. Don't let the initial criticism deter you - this dive site is a hidden gem under the turquoise waters of New Zealand.

Remember, always take proper precautions and adhere to safety guidelines when exploring this captivating dive site. Happy diving!