wreck

Log This Dive

Nine Pins

The Nine Pins, just off the old Pier Hotel in Kaikōura, is one of those spots we always return to. You’ll find it by the cluster of rocks poking out from the surface, marking the northern edge of the Rahui. Yes, the average visibility is only around 4m, and at just 11m deep, it’s not for those chasing big walls or crystal-clear lagoons. But if you’re into the genuine, rugged beauty of New Zealand’s temperate reefs, this place delivers. Drop in and you’re immediately enveloped by the towering fronds of New Zealand bull kelp. It sways with the surge, creating a perpetually shifting, shadowed landscape. We love gliding through these kelp forests, looking for the flash of a Girdled wrasse or a well-camouflaged Scorpionfish tucked into the rock. Keep an eye out for the blackfoot pāua clinging to the rocks, their iridescent shells catching the limited light. It’s a busy place down there. You’ll spot schools of Pacific sardines darting through the water, pursued by Yellow-eye Mullet. The rock crevices are home to robust Triplefins and the occasional Crayfish. The real magic, though, is how alive it feels, despite the low visibility. You can often hear the clicks and chirps of Dusky Dolphins passing overhead, a reminder of the wilder ocean just beyond. It’s a fantastic site for newer divers looking to experience temperate diving or anyone who appreciates the quieter, colder beauty of a healthy kelp forest. Just remember to time your launch from the ramp outside the Pier Hotel; high tide is key.