The Nursery - Bay of Islands

Malpelo Island isn't just a dive site; it’s an entire experience, a remote pinnacle jutting out of the Pacific where the big stuff truly lives. We’re talking about the kind of place where you drop in and are immediately surrounded by a swirling vortex of silky sharks, their sleek bodies catching the sunlight as they glide past. Our favourite dives here often involve just hanging out at depth, waiting for the massive schools of hammerheads to materialise out of the blue, sometimes hundreds strong, so thick you can barely see the diver next to you. The currents can be ripping, so this isn't a spot for the faint of heart or the inexperienced. You need solid buoyancy and the ability to handle surge. But for those who are ready, Malpelo delivers. Besides the sharks, we've had incredible encounters with oceanic manta rays, their wingtips almost brushing us as they cruise by. Keep an eye out for the smaller, more unusual stuff too; we’ve spotted dragon wrasse and gloss blennies tucked into crevices when the bigger action slows. This place is for divers who chase adrenaline and want to see the ocean's apex predators in their natural, powerful habitat.

Location

Bay of Islands, New Zealand, Australasia

Coordinates

-35.181500, 174.335000

Type

pinnacle

Marine Protected Area: Oke Bay