The marine reserve surrounding Tūhua, or Mayor Island, is a wonderful dive spot, with a mixture of shallow reef and deep-water environments.
Tūhua’s eroded volcanic forms extend beneath the water, creating a network of lava columns, caves and angular boulders. A dense canopy of kelp and other seaweeds covers the crevices, giving shelter to many colourful organisms.
The Ōrongatea Bay shallow rock platform suitable for snorkelling is enlivened by bubbles from underwater hot springs.
Offshore the bottom drops away to 50m at the North East Arising.
Warm currents bring subtropical visitors, and there are dense schools of kingfish and pink and blue maomao, among many other species. You can read DOC's guide to diving at Tūhua Marine Reserve here.