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fiordland
The overpowering rugged beauty of
the Fiordland World Heritage Area is not confined to the
mountains, lakes and rivers.
This special place is also the exciting new frontier of scuba
diving in New Zealand.
Deep inside the 14 sheltered fiords along the coast (some
penetrating up to 16 km) there is minimal water disturbance and
thus exceptionally good visibility for diving the steep cliff
faces.
Heavy rainfall (up to 7m per annum) produces a 10m surface layer
of fresh water in the fiords. This tannin-coloured layer reduces
light levels, fooling deep dwelling creatures like black coral
and groper into thinking their habitat is 30m when it is only
10m. The result is a feast of remarkable underwater sights for
scuba divers.
Dive shops in Te Anau, Invercargill and Bluff provide fully
guided trips to the fiords and other sites around the coast.
Milford Sound
This is the only fiord with public road access. Both Sinbad Gully
and Harrison’s Cove areas are popular for dive trips. The
glacier-gouged vertical walls plummet into black depths but the
variety and colour of the invertebrates is exceptional. White,
red and black soft corals are prolific and the variety of fish
life is mind-blowing. Non divers can view undersea life in an
observatory viewing chamber in Harrison’s Cove.
Doubtful Sound
The entranceway is guarded by Secretary Island, a favourite haunt
of bottlenose dolphins. Deep Cove is blanketed by mussels, which
are preyed on by carnivorous starfish and bright red corals.
Bauza Island and The Gut have the most glorious red and black
coral.
Dusky/Breaksea Sounds
These are home to the New Zealand fur seal and snorkellers can
get a close encounter here. The seals invariably greet you with a
headlong rush and pull up just before impact. The Waikare wreck
can be explored near Stop Island.
Preservation Inlet
Charter boats regularly access this southernmost fiord. Deep
gorges descend to the depths with sheer walls adorned with
feather stars, red corals and sea squirts. Cavern Bay has myriads
of fish inside the tendrils of kelp. The China Shop has beautiful
back coral strands at only 10m depth.
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