reef

Log This Dive

Rhino Horn

Rhino Horn is a site we’ve spent a lot of time exploring, and it’s a brilliant way to get acquainted with Kaikōura’s cooler waters. Dropping down, you’re straight into a forest of giant kelp, the fronds swaying gently, creating a dappled light show. It’s not the clearest water – think an average of seven metres – but that just adds to the atmosphere. We often find ourselves peering into the shadowy gaps, spotting crayfish, or koura as they’re known here, tucked away in the rocky crevices. This place is all about the smaller, rugged inhabitants. We’ve seen more butterfly perch here than anywhere else, their colours surprisingly vivid against the greens and browns. Keep an eye out for curious blue cod, they’re not shy, and we’ve even had a few playful encounters with gurnard stirring up the sand. It’s a site for those who appreciate the subtle beauty of a temperate reef, the quiet hunt for a pipehorse, or the thrill of a passing seal darting through the kelp. It’s a site that rewards slow, deliberate diving, peering under ledges, and letting your eyes adjust to the muted light.