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Motuwheteke Island

Motuwheteke Island, or Roberton Island as some know it, offers a solid dive, especially if you’re looking to explore a true New Zealand channel site. We tend to prefer the western side. Drop down among the kelp-covered boulders and you’ll often find snapper nosing around, sometimes quite large ones, along with schools of demoiselles and sweep flitting through the fronds. The sunlight filters down in dappled greens and golds here, a really unique feel. The real draw, though, is the chance to spot something bigger moving through the channel. We’ve had encounters with yellowtail kingfish here, powerful swimmers that glide past almost without a sound. It’s not a deep dive, typically maxing out around 20 metres, so you get decent bottom time. Visibility can vary, usually around 10-12 metres, but even on a slightly murkier day, the character of the site shines through. This spot suits divers who appreciate a natural, untamed reef and don't mind a bit of a current.