HMNZS MOA

Best months: Jul–Oct

Protected Area

Tulagi Island

Why dive here

With 391+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda, blacktip reef sharks, grey reef sharks, humpback whales and orcas - HMNZS MOA offers some of Iron Bottom Sound's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 29-31°C, warmest January, April, December.

Best timeJul–Oct

WetsuitA 3mm shorty or thin full wetsuit

Marine lifeBarracuda, Blacktip Reef Sharks, Grey Reef Sharks, Humpback Whales and Orcas · 391+ species recorded

Water29-31°C · warmest January, April, December

CharacterWreck dive · max 38m

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

Diving the HMNZS Moa in Iron Bottom Sound feels a bit like stepping into a time capsule, 38 metres down. This isn't one of those wrecks where you’re just looking at a pile of metal; the Moa still holds its shape, a Royal New Zealand Navy minesweeper sunk in 1943 by Japanese dive bombers. We love how intact the bow still is, standing proud from the seabed. You can see the gun turret and, if you peek carefully, some of the superstructure. It's a sombre place, but life has reclaimed it. We always spot some big groupers lurking inside, and schools of fusiliers swirl around the mast. The corals here aren’t as vibrant as on some of the reefs, but they're still beautiful, soft branches covering the metal in reds and oranges. Our favourite part has to be the stern, though it's the more damaged section. It offers some fascinating penetrations if you’re properly trained and equipped, though we'd suggest staying outside if you're not experienced with overhead environments. Visibility can vary, but generally, it's pretty decent, letting you take in the whole scene from a distance before getting up close. A perfect dive for history buffs and wreck enthusiasts alike, it offers a tangible link to the past.