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The Triangle

The Triangle is one of those sites that grabs you from the moment you hit the water, or rather, the moment the freshwater layer gives way to the sea. It’s distinctly Fiordland, meaning you’ll often find yourself in a dim, emerald world, even in bright sunshine, thanks to that thick surface runoff. But don't let the gloom fool you. Drop down and the wall reveals itself, draped in the signature black coral that Fiordland is famous for. We love pushing past 15 metres here, where you’ll find some seriously impressive black coral trees, massive old growth, with carpet shark eggs tucked in amongst the branches – keep an eye out for them. The transition from rocky shoreline to a sandy slope, then to that steep wall, means you get a real mix of habitat. We’ve seen leopard seals cruise by, completely unfazed, and it's a reliable spot for butterfly perch schooling in the darker crevices. On the sand, we often find ourselves searching for spiny seadragons, masters of camouflage, and the nudibranchs here are often chunky, wellington and variable types being fairly common. It’s a site that rewards slow, meticulous diving, definitely suiting those who appreciate the unique beauty of temperate waters over tropical flash. You’ll spend your dive peering into every crack, under every overhang, and often spotting something genuinely unexpected, whether it’s a red rock lobster tucked away or a cruising dogsharks.