wall

Log This Dive

RED MERCS

Red Mercs is one of our absolute favourite sites around Goat Island, a proper New Zealand classic. The real magic here is the sheer density of fish. We've often dropped in to find ourselves completely enveloped by schools of demoiselles and swarms of snapper, so thick they almost block out the sun. It's a proper visual feast, the kind of dive where you just hang still and let the current bring the show to you. The site is essentially a series of rocky pins and ledges that drop down to about 18 metres, covered in kelp and soft corals. It's a bit exposed, so picking your day is key – we always check the swell reports carefully. When the conditions line up, though, the visibility can stretch to 15 metres, and the place just explodes with life. Keep an eye out for those big California yellowtail cruising through, and the vibrant flash of crimson cleaner fish zipping around the rocks. It’s a site that really rewards a slow, observant diver, perfect for those who love feeling part of a bustling underwater world rather than just passing through it.