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stewart island
Just a one hour trip by passenger
ferry from Bluff is Stewart Island, which has one of the richest
and most varied marine habitats in New Zealand.
There is a multitude of fish in the dense, swaying jungles of
giant kelp around the entire windswept coast.
The wild landscape above sea level is awe-inspiring. Dense
forests, swampland and weird, round top granite peaks like Gog
and Magog make overland travel tortuous. But the wildlife thrives
here. Kiwis roam the forests and penguins, seals and sea lions
populate the isolated beaches.
Underwater temperatures range from 8°C to 14°C but enduring the
cold brings great rewards in the pure eco-experience of diving in
pristine conditions with excellent visibility.
Dive shops in Invercargill and Bluff can organise trips to the
island and there are also charter boat services based in both
Bluff and Halfmoon Bay.
Halfmoon Bay
To the east of the main township Oban, is a pleasant dive area in
Leask Bay where schools of blue moki and tarakihi weave through
the kelp forests to 10m and fur seals sometimes make friendly
passes. Near Barclay Rocks at the entrance to Halfmoon Bay is the
wreck of the Marine Maid sitting upright on the sand at 35m.
Paterson Inlet
Good diving amongst the kelp forests off Sandhill Bay gives an
indication of the variety of Stewart Island fish life. Blue cod,
blue moki, trumpeters, wrasses, butterfish and the ubiquitous
spotties can be seen along with paua (abalone) and crayfish
(lobsters).
Port Adventure
Starling Point has thick, luxurious seaweed growth in a serene
environment alive with fish. It looks like a permanent rush hour
here with the high fish population constantly on the move.
Port Pegusus
Lush kelp forests here conceal trumpeter fish, blue moki and
seahorses, which curl their tails around the waving weed stalks.
The visibility is usually 15-20m and the passing parade of sea
life often includes curious fur seals. Port Pegusus is about as
remote as you can get around the New Zealand coast and diving
here is an unforgettable experience.
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