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Aramoana Mole

Aramoana Mole, on the edge of Fiordland, feels like a secret handshake among South Island divers. We love it for its sheer accessibility, especially when the weather decides to be Fiordland-ish. It's a man-made wall, sure, but it's completely encrusted, a tapestry of sponges in electric yellows and purples, mixed with the reds of sea squirts. You'll find yourself searching the nooks and crannies for nudibranchs, and we've spotted some absolute crackers here. Visibility averages around 5 meters, which isn't Bali, but it's often better than that depending on the tide and recent rain. The deepest parts are off the very end, hitting maybe 10 meters, but most of our dives stay comfortably around 6-8 meters. We often see Lemon Sole pressed into the sand, and the occasional Bluefin Gurnard kicking up sediment. It's an excellent spot for newer divers, or anyone who appreciates the smaller, intricate details of temperate diving without needing to chase pelagics.