cave

Log This Dive

Wellington Reef

Wellington Reef often gets overlooked, but we always have a soft spot for it, especially when the conditions line up. At its shallowest, around five metres, you’re drifting over rocks dusted with purple kina and the occasional flash of a yellow-eye mullet. The reef slopes north, down to fifteen metres, and that’s where we find the most action. Visibility averages six metres, so it’s not always gin-clear, but on a good day, after a spell of calm weather, the water takes on a surprisingly rich green hue. We love seeing the black stingrays here, gliding along the sand pockets, sometimes kicking up a cloud of silt. Keep an eye out for mottled triplefins darting between crevices and the occasional spotted stargazer, just a pair of eyes peeking from the seafloor. It’s a gentle drift, unhurried, with plenty of time to really look closely. We’d suggest this one for divers who enjoy a slower pace, who like to scout for the smaller stuff, and aren’t fazed by slightly greener water. It’s a great spot for a relaxed second dive.