wall

Log This Dive

Piercys’ Backside

Piercy Island, or Motu Kokako to give its full name, is a standout for us in the Bay of Islands, and while the Hole in the Rock gets all the glory, we always make time for Piercy’s Backside. We love the dramatic drop-off, a sheer rock face that plummets way past recreational limits. It’s perfect for those comfortable with deeper dives, maybe some techies looking to stretch their legs. You’re starting on big, rocky boulders, working your way down past ledges around 20 metres. Keep an eye out for schooling sweep and the vibrant pink maomao, they often hang in the current here. Our favourite feature is the arch at 40 metres. Finning through it, you feel the water pressure shift, and it’s a cool place to pause and watch for kingfish cruising by. If you’re lucky, you might even spot a shark in the blue. We’ve had some memorable encounters with short-beaked common dolphins zipping past too. This isn’t a coral garden, it’s a rugged, exposed site, and that’s precisely why we rate it. It’s got that raw New Zealand feel.