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Log This Dive

West Point

West Point, way out at the western tip of Cuvier Island, is a proper Hauraki Gulf experience, a bit gnarlier than the sheltered spots closer to shore. We really love the south-facing side, where the kelp forests are just immense, swaying in the surge, dropping down to the sand at 15-18 metres. You’ll feel the slight chill that comes with open ocean diving here, a real sense of being on the edge of something big. The sand plain itself is usually dotted with flatfish and we’ve often spotted Draughtboard sharks tucked right into the kelp line – keep your eyes peeled for those camouflaged beauties. It’s also one of our favourite spots for a Bronze Whaler encounter, especially if there’s a bit of current running; they seem to cruise through with such effortless power. Diving West Point means embracing a little bit of ruggedness; it’s for divers who appreciate the wilder side of New Zealand’s underwater world, a place where you genuinely feel like you're in an important transit lane for pelagics.