Wooded Island - Goat Island & Hauraki Gulf

The B26 de Lavasina is a wreck we always recommend for divers who appreciate a bit of history with their nitrogen narcosis. This isn't just a pile of metal; it's a beautifully preserved B-26 Marauder bomber, shot down in 1944. You can still make out the fuselage shape, the engines, and parts of the wings, often lying in calm, clear water, which makes navigation a breeze. We’ve spent hours here, tracing the outline, imagining its final moments. The real joy, though, is how marine life has utterly taken over. Schools of barracuda hang motionless in the blue above the wreck, sometimes so thick they cast a shadow. Inside the bomb bay, conger eels peer out from behind rusted bulkheads, their eyes glinting in your torch beam. Look closely at the metal itself, and you'll find nudibranchs crawling across the corroded surfaces. We particularly love the way the light filters down, creating an almost ethereal glow around the structure. It’s a dive that offers both a poignant historical connection and a vibrant display of Mediterranean life, making it a truly rewarding experience for wreck enthusiasts.

Location
Goat Island & Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand, Australasia
Coordinates
-36.588800, 174.885100
Type
wreck

Wreck History - Wooded Island

Year Sunk
1945
Vessel Type
aircraft
Cause
scuttled

On February 4, 1945, a Martin B-26G Marauder medium bomber was returning to its base in Corsica after a successful mission over Italy. During the flight, the aircraft developed serious engine trouble, and the pilot quickly determined he would not be able to make a safe landing on shore. He expertly ditched the plane in the sea just off the coast of Lavasina, near Bastia. The controlled water landing was a success, and all six crew members were able to escape the sinking aircraft and were promptly rescued.

The B-26 of Lavasina now rests on a sandy bottom at a depth of 27 meters and is a fantastic dive for wreck enthusiasts. The aircraft is broken into two main sections, with the cockpit and forward fuselage separated from the tail and wings, all lying in close proximity. The cockpit is a highlight, with the pilot's and co-pilot's seats and control yokes still visible. Divers can also explore the engines, propellers, and even spot the machine guns still in their mounts. The wreck attracts a good amount of marine life, including moray eels and congers, making it a captivating dive that combines military history with underwater nature.

Marine Protected Area: Kohatutara

Best Time to Dive in Goat Island & Hauraki Gulf

The warmest water temperatures in Goat Island & Hauraki Gulf occur in February, averaging 22.4°C. The coolest conditions are in August at 14.1°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 21.4°C
  • February: 22.4°C
  • March: 21.8°C
  • April: 19.8°C
  • May: 17.4°C
  • June: 15.3°C
  • July: 14.1°C
  • August: 14.1°C
  • September: 14.7°C
  • October: 16.3°C
  • November: 18.5°C
  • December: 20.3°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Goat Island & Hauraki Gulf

Nearest Dive Centres to Wooded Island

Marine Life in Goat Island & Hauraki Gulf

Home to 77 recorded species including 43 reef fish, 11 sharks & rays, 3 whales & dolphins, 3 crabs & lobsters, 3 other, 3 sea snails & nudibranchs.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Wooded Island

Based on average water temperature of 18.0°C, currents 2 cm/s.

  • Wetsuit (3-5mm) - comfortable for 18°C water
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories