Bird Rock - Bay of Islands

Bird Rock is one of those sites we always recommend, especially if you’re comfortable with a bit of a push. It’s essentially a big rock poking out of the water, and what makes it special is how the currents play around it. We’ve found the eastern side often offers the best show, especially on an incoming tide. You’ll drift past walls covered in sponges and anemones, feeling the water move around you, keeping an eye out for kingfish zipping by. The maximum depth here is 19m, but it’s the sheer density of life in that shallower zone that grabs you. Look closely into the cracks and you'll spot moray eels, crayfish, and those iridescent Luculentus wrasse. Our favourite dives here have been in late winter when the fur seals are often lounging on the rock. They’ll frequently drop in for a swim, twisting and turning just out of reach, a really playful interaction. Visibility averages 16m, which is decent for New Zealand, giving you enough clarity to appreciate the schools of butterfly perch and snapper that hang in the current. This site really shines for experienced divers who appreciate a dynamic drift and aren’t afraid of a bit of movement.

Location

Bay of Islands, New Zealand, Australasia

Coordinates

-35.163500, 174.306100

Type

drift

Marine Protected Area: Oke Bay