cenote

Log This Dive

Cenote Angelita

Gem Stone Bay, tucked into the Hahei Marine Reserve, feels like stepping back in time to how New Zealand’s coast used to be. For a site with a maximum depth of just nine metres, it’s remarkably lively. We love drifting through the kelp, watching big snapper eye us up; they’re bold here, sometimes nipping at anything shiny. It’s a gentle dive, perfect for photographers or anyone who just wants to soak in the incredible recovery of a protected area. We’ve seen massive red rock lobster tucked into crevices and schools of triplefins flitting between the fronds. Keep an eye out for a Southern reef squid darting past. Visibility averages eight metres, which is decent for a shallow bay, but we always try to hit it on a calm day for the best experience. It’s a no-take zone, of course, and the marine life here really shows what a difference that makes.