This is our last day before returning to Auckland as our trip draws to a close. We are so fortunate to have booked a day trip on Dive Tutakaka to the Poor Knights Islands. It is described as the perfect trip, and it is; but for some of our boat mates going out was anything but! A big swell, winds and quartering sea made the boat trip more like a saddle bronc ride that went on, and on, and on.....Thankfully Bonnie and I kept it together and were ready to snorkel as soon as we anchored.
A marine reserve since 1981, Poor Knights is recognized as one of the top dive destinations on the planet. The fish life is abundant both in variety and size of fish schools, including blue Mau Mau, travelle, snapper, and blue nose. Diver's can actually enter an underground cave entrance and surface inside the cave where there is an air pocket. Our trip included snorkeling, paddle boarding, and kayaking followed by a cruise along the islands and narrative of the history and ecology. Beyond the fantastic snorkeling, fish life, and underwater cliffs and arches to explore, the islands have the largest sea cave in the southern hemisphere. We were treated too a cruise INSIDE the cave where the engine was shut off and the acoustics demonstrated by an impromptu singing of the NZ national anthem. The ride back was much calmer and we enjoyed the upper outside deck and conversation with some Brits who were visiting a former schoolmate now living in NZ.
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| Ready to rock, roll, and pitch. Big swells and wind today |
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| Poor Knights Islands from Tutakaka Head |
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| Outbound from Tutakaka harbor |
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| Dive boat, paddling, snorkeling--a perfect day |
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| School of travally surface feeding |
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| The largest sea cave in the southern hemisphere |
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| Our 76 foot boat fully inside the cave |
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| Heading back to Tutakaka |
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