reef

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Tawharanui

Tawharanui, often overshadowed by its famous neighbour, is a brilliant alternative if you’re looking for a quieter dive in the Goat Island area. We love it for its consistent population of snapper – not huge, but plentiful. You’ll typically drop to around 10-12 metres, finding yourself in kelp forests that sway with the gentle surge. Visibility hovers around 6 metres, sometimes a little more, sometimes a little less. It's not a site for spotting distant pelagics, but rather for poking around the kelp fronds, searching for banded morwong or the occasional shy cowfish. We’ve had some cracking dives here just watching the yellowtail dart through the light shafts. Our favourite part is the chance to spot larger eagle rays gliding over the sandy patches between the reef. For crayfish, head towards the Takatu Point end; they tend to be bigger there. It suits divers who appreciate a relaxed pace and don’t mind a bit of a search for the smaller stuff.