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Never Fail Rock - GMI

Never Fail Rock, in the Hauraki Gulf, lives up to its name if you’re after a thrill. We consider it a high-octane dive, definitely not for the faint-hearted or those new to current. This solitary pinnacle stands exposed, often battered by strong flows, but that’s precisely why we love it. Dropping down, the first thing you notice is the sheer volume of fish hugging the rock face. Swarms of butterfly perch and New Zealand demoiselles create a shimmering curtain. We’ve seen hefty kingfish cruise past, often joined by bronze whalers making lazy passes. Keep an eye on the sand channels at the base for Short-tail Stingrays and Smooth Skates. Visibility can be a bit of a lottery, sometimes only three metres, but on a good day, it opens right up. Our advice? Go with an experienced boat operator who knows the tides, and be ready for a drift. It’s an exhilarating dive, truly an example of Northland pin diving at its best.