Putahataha Island - Bay of Islands

Spaghetti is a curious spot, a single pinnacle rising from the flat sandy bottom of Bayes Lagoon. It’s not about dramatic drop-offs or swim-throughs here, but rather a focused dive on a surprisingly rich, isolated feature. We love the sheer density of soft corals; the ‘spaghetti’ part comes from the long, flowing polyps of the *Sarcophyton* leather corals that absolutely carpet the top. It feels like diving into a shag carpet sometimes. Visibility usually hovers around 12 meters, so it’s not always crystal clear, but that just adds to the intimate feel. Our favourite game is spotting the tiny residents, like the Acropora Coral Crabs tucked into their hosts, or the various gobies and Zanzibar shrimps. Keep an eye out for larger pelagics too – we've seen dorado and jacks cruise by, drawn to the pinnacle like a magnet in the otherwise open water. It’s a photographer’s delight for macro, but equally rewarding for anyone who enjoys a slow, deliberate exploration rather than a high-octane drift.

Location

Bay of Islands, New Zealand, Australasia

Coordinates

-35.192100, 174.293200

Type

pinnacle

Marine Protected Area: Oke Bay