Diving Guide to East Cape & Gisborne

About East Cape & Gisborne

East Cape and Gisborne represent one of New Zealand's least explored and most pristine diving frontiers, where remote rocky reefs, kelp forests, and marine reserves offer diving experiences far removed from the tourist trail. Lottin Point at Waihau Bay provides pristine rocky reefs with huge crayfish, dense kelp forest, and kingfish in water that sees very few divers. The Te Tapuwae o Rongokako Marine Reserve near Gisborne protects sheltered rock pools, juvenile fish nurseries, and excellent macro diving in a culturally significant coastal area. The coastline holds scattered remains of several historical shipwrecks including the Star of Canada and Mokoia, some accessible as shore dives despite limited infrastructure. The region's isolation ensures that marine life is abundant and unaccustomed to divers, creating extraordinary close encounters. The East Cape is also the first populated place in the world to see the sunrise each day, adding a unique cultural dimension to any diving trip. While infrastructure is limited compared to more popular dive destinations, the rewards of diving this untouched coastline include pristine reefs, large marine life, and a genuine sense of exploration.

Highlights

• ✓Lottin Point: pristine rocky reefs with huge crayfish, dense kelp forest, and kingfish in rarely-dived waters
• ✓Te Tapuwae o Rongokako Marine Reserve: sheltered rock pools with excellent macro diving and juvenile fish nurseries
• ✓Historical shipwrecks of the coast: scattered remains of the Star of Canada and Mokoia accessible as shore dives
• ✓Remote diving with abundant marine life unaccustomed to human presence
• ✓First sunrise in the world at East Cape with spectacular coastal scenery above and below water

Getting There

Drive from Auckland approximately 6 hours to Gisborne or 8 hours to East Cape