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Paramena Reef

Paramena Reef, for us, is one of those spots in the Bay of Islands that always delivers. It’s got that classic New Zealand reef topography, big rocky outcrops draped in kelp, but with a surprising amount of colourful soft corals tucked into the crevices when you get closer. We love drifting along the reef edge, keeping an eye out for the Red Rock Lobsters peeking from their holes. You’ll often find schools of New Zealand Demoiselle shimmering above the reef, and if you’re lucky, a curious Orca or False Killer Whale might cruise past. The real magic happens when you slow down and poke around the smaller ledges. We’ve spent ages watching the little Snakeskin Chitons grazing on the rocks and the delicate thorny worms waving in the slight surge. Our favourite time to visit is on a calm morning; the light filters through the kelp beautifully, creating an almost ethereal glow. Visibility can vary, but generally, it’s decent enough to appreciate the scale of the reef and the surprisingly vibrant sponge life. It’s a comfortable dive for anyone who enjoys exploring a temperate reef with plenty of nooks and crannies.