Bird Rock - Bay of Islands

Director's Bay is one of those spots we always point people to for an easy, rewarding shore dive. You’re kicking out over a sandy slope that slowly drops to the reef wall, which eventually meets up with the Tugboat site if you head west. That wall is where the real show starts; we’ve found some fantastic macro life tucked into the crevices there. Think tiny nine-lined gobies, often a spotfin dragonet or two, and the vibrant orange ball corallimorphs clinging to the overhangs. Keep an eye out for a hawksbill turtle cruising by – they’re fairly regular visitors here. Our favourite way to dive it is early morning. The light paints the corals beautifully, and you often have the place to yourself before the day boats arrive. The current is usually mild, making it a relaxed drift along the wall if there’s any push. It's a fantastic site for photographers focusing on small stuff, but the sheer number of creole wrasse and schoolmasters makes for a lively wider scene too. Maximum depth around 21 metres means plenty of bottom time, and the average 22-metre visibility rarely disappoints.

Location

Bay of Islands, New Zealand, Australasia

Coordinates

-35.163500, 174.306100

Type

reef

Marine Protected Area: Oke Bay