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Meola Reef

Meola Reef, near Auckland, isn't your typical tropical escape. Forget warm water and technicolor corals. We love it because it’s a proper New Zealand dive – rugged, surprisingly lively, and often overlooked. Descending into the murky green, you’re enveloped by thick forests of bull kelp, their fronds swaying with the surge. It feels ancient down there, a lava flow solidified into a sprawling, craggy landscape. Visibility can be hit or miss, usually around 5-10 metres, but that just adds to the adventure. You’ll be scanning for rig and short-tail stingrays camouflaged against the dark rock, and the olive anemones are everywhere, their tentacles waving. Look closely in the crevices for little post horn squid. Our favourite time to dive Meola is a calm morning, just after high tide, when the water has settled a bit. It’s a site for those who appreciate temperate diving and want a real taste of the Hauraki Gulf.