Cathedral Cove Dive Ltd

Goat Island & Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand

The team at Cathedral Cove Dive Ltd are exactly the kind of friendly, no-fuss outfit we love diving with. They’re based in the Hauraki Gulf, right on the doorstep of Goat Island Marine Reserve, and that's their real specialty – easy, guided dives into a protected area that consistently delivers. We always recommend them for divers new to cold water or those looking for a stress-free day of solid temperate diving. Goat Island itself is a stunner, particularly on a calm day when the sun really penetrates. We’ve had some cracking dives there, drifting over kelp forests where huge snapper cruise by with an almost comical nonchalance. The reserve means the fish are well-habituated, so expect some wonderfully close encounters. Look out for crayfish tucked into rocky crevices and big schools of trevally darting through the water column. The visibility can be a bit variable depending on recent weather, but even on a slightly murkier day, the sheer volume of fish makes it worthwhile. Their local knowledge means they’ll get you to the best spots, often dropping you in where you can just drift along with the gentle current. Post-dive, there’s nothing quite like a pie from the local bakery and swapping stories.