Alice A. Leigh /Rewa ShipWreck
Protected Area
Cape Rodney-Okakari Point
Why dive here
With 79+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue sharks, dolphins, hammerhead sharks, humpback whales and orcas - Alice A. Leigh /Rewa ShipWreck offers some of Poor Knights Islands's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 16-22°C, warmest January, February, March.
The Alice A. Leigh, often called the Rewa, is a charming, shallow wreck off Moturekareka Island. We love it for how accessible it is, perfect for knocking out a couple of dives without a deep deco penalty. The main hull sits at about six meters, easily visible from the surface. It's really just the ribs and parts of the mast now, but enough structure remains to explore a little. You can weave through the broken timbers, watching for the mottled triplefins that zip between the rusty plates. Snapper often hang around the larger sections, and the occasional smooth skate glides past. Visibility averages seven metres, which is decent for a bay site. It’s pretty sheltered from strong currents, making it a relaxed dive, especially good for newer divers or for photographers wanting to take their time.
Safety Notes
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
Alice A. Leigh /Rewa ShipWreck Wreck History
Year Sunk
1931
Vessel Type
sailing vessel
Cause
grounding
The wreck known to divers as the Rewa began her life in 1889 as the Alice A. Leigh. A magnificent four-masted steel barque, she was the largest ship on the British register at the time of her launch-a true titan of the last great age of sail. For decades, she plied global trade routes before being purchased in 1920 by a New Zealand shipping company and renamed Rewa.
Her long and storied career came to a quiet end not in a storm, but by a deliberate act. In 1931, the aging vessel was beached in a calm, sheltered cove on Moturekareka Island, south of Kawau Island. She was stripped of valuable materials and left to the elements, her hull slowly surrendering to the sea in her chosen final resting place.
Today, the Rewa is one of New Zealand's most beloved and accessible wreck dives. The main body of the ship rests in just 6 meters of water, making it a perfect site for divers of all levels, freedivers, and even snorkelers. With minimal current and good shelter, exploring the bones of this once-great sailing ship is a relaxed, picturesque, and historically rich underwater adventure.
Nearest Dive Centres to Alice A. Leigh /Rewa ShipWreck
Dive shops near Alice A. Leigh /Rewa ShipWreck
GOAT ISLAND DIVE and SNORKEL
NEW ZEALAND DIVING
Auckland Scuba - Silverdale
Reviews for Alice A. Leigh /Rewa ShipWreck
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Alice A. Leigh /Rewa ShipWreck
Alice A. Leigh /Rewa ShipWreck Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for Alice A. Leigh /Rewa ShipWreck, sourced from Copernicus Marine satellite data
August Averages
Sea Temperature
15.82°C
60°F
Current Speed
11.4 cm/s
Direction: SE (142.1°)
Chlorophyll-a
0.264 mg/m³
Clear water
Salinity
35.47 PSU
Data sources: Copernicus Marine Service (EU)
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