reef

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THE MAORI LADY

Forget what you might have heard about New Zealand diving being all kelp and cold – The Maori Lady really punches above its weight. We love how reliably sheltered this site is; it's a fantastic fallback when the weather kicks up in the Hauraki Gulf, letting you get a dive in when other spots are a no-go. Dropping down, you hit a maximum of 16 metres, moving between sandy patches and reef edges. It’s here, tucked into the reef, that we’ve had some of our best encounters with those mottled triplefins, always darting about. Keep an eye out over the sand for a southern eagle ray gliding past, or even a shy New Zealand sole trying to blend in. Our favourite time to hit The Maori Lady is on a calm day, when the sun penetrates the 8-metre average visibility, really making the weed edges come alive. You’ll find butterfly perch schooling here, and we've even spotted the occasional rig hanging out. It’s a comfortable dive, suited for those looking for a relaxed exploration rather than a deep, dramatic wall.