Rainbow Warrior - Bay of Islands

The SS Maori is one of our favourite dives in False Bay, especially on a calm day. We love the way the wreck lies, broken but still substantial, with its stern sitting around 17m and the bows much shallower. It’s a great site for poking around, dropping down to the prop and rudder, then working your way up into the holds where light filters through the gaps. You’ll find crayfish tucked into every crevice, little shy sharks hiding under ledges, and often massive schools of hottentot and other reef fish swirling around the superstructure. Visibility averages 9m, so it’s not always gin-clear, but we think that adds to the atmospheric vibe of an old cargo ship swallowed by the sea. Just be mindful of the currents, which can pick up, especially further out on the deeper sections.

Location
Bay of Islands, New Zealand, Australasia
Coordinates
-34.974800, 173.935000
Type
wreck

Marine Protected Area: Totara North

Nearby Dive Sites in Bay of Islands

Nearest Dive Centres to Rainbow Warrior

Marine Life in Bay of Islands

Home to 172 recorded species including 100 reef fish, 22 sharks & rays, 11 whales & dolphins, 10 other, 6 crabs & lobsters, 4 seagrass & algae.

Notable Species