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SS Wairarapa - Miners Head

The SS Wairarapa at Miners Head is one of our favourite wreck dives in the Poor Knights, precisely because it’s not really a wreck anymore. What you’ll find is less a ship and more a series of broken metal chunks, draped in kelp and sponges, scattered across a shallow sandy bottom. It's a fantastic spot for pottering about, especially if you love finding things tucked away. We often spend a good hour just exploring the larger sections of twisted steel, peering into crevices where painted wrasse dart in and out. The depth averages around 15 metres, so there’s plenty of bottom time to be had. Look closely and you’ll spot nudibranchs crawling over the encrusting corals, and often a decent number of red rock lobsters peeking out from under the broken plating. It’s also a good place to keep an eye out for a smooth skate gliding across the sand. We'd suggest going on a calm day, as a strong northeasterly swell can make it quite a bumpy experience. This site really suits divers who enjoy a relaxed exploration, not a deep penetration dive, and those who appreciate how a wreck can become a vibrant part of the reef.