The picture is from a GoPro Hero 4 camera footage. I am amazed how that little device can handle the direct sun light.
UW Ideas For Summer
Wide-angle / macro pictures, an article and a short video on these three Auckland region diving locations (plus one on Coromandel Peninsula):
(1) Whangaparaoa wrecks
In the southern part of Whangaparaoa Peninsula between Okoromai and Te Haruhi bays there are a couple of wrecks in shallow water. Dumped intentionally, their main purpose was to protect the shore and the boats anchored in Okoromai Bay from big waves on windy and stormy days. I haven’t seen a picture of them, I don’t know a diver who knows the wrecks. Supposedly the ranger in Shakespeare Regional Park can know more. By the way, one of the wrecks reaches above the water surface and can be snorkeled comfortably if water is clear enough.
(2) Browns Bay Reef
The reef is well known by the local fishermen … also by some retired local divers. For them it was the main training/diving ground back in seventies/eighties. Judging by the general uw conditions in the bay, the visibility can be something like 0-6 m. I also expect occasional visits from big fish (snapper, kingfish, perhaps something else as well). Also the bottom of the reef can be quite colourful if it’s not buried in silt.
Note: I’ve met big octopus, kingfish, eagle ray, wandering anemones, plenty of nudibranches etc. under the cliffs of Browns Bay. Hopefully the reef is even better.
(3) Goat Island northeast point
All Aucklanders know Goat Island … but mainly the channel, Shag Rock etc. However, the northeastern part of the island promises deeper water with steep walls and sponge gardens on the bottom and much less people as it’s quite far away from the beach.
(4) Tairua River
A river flowing between Golden and Broken Hills before it enters the town. It has numerous deep water (I mean > 3m) areas with impressive rock formations, cliffs above water and steep walls underwater. Water can be clear and big eels live there.