Diving Guide to Three Kings Islands

About Three Kings Islands

The Three Kings Islands are New Zealand's most remote and pristine diving destination, located 55 kilometres northwest of Cape Reinga at the tip of the North Island. This group of uninhabited granite islands sits at the confluence of the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean, creating nutrient-rich waters that support an extraordinary diversity of marine life. The massive granite walls are covered in dense soft corals, pink and black coral trees, and huge gorgonian fans that thrive in the strong oceanic currents. Schools of kingfish number in the hundreds, while giant stingrays and seasonal manta rays patrol the blue water beyond the walls. The islands are a wildlife refuge with abundant birdlife above water and a marine ecosystem that remains virtually untouched by human activity. Diving here is expedition-style, requiring dedicated liveaboard or charter boat access, but rewards the journey with some of the most pristine and spectacular diving in the southern hemisphere. The remote location ensures that every dive feels like an exploration of untouched wilderness.

Highlights

• ✓Three Kings Arch: massive granite walls covered in soft corals with huge schools of kingfish and trevally
• ✓Giant stingrays and seasonal manta rays patrolling the deep blue water beyond the island walls
• ✓Pink and black coral trees growing on the granite walls at accessible recreational depths
• ✓Pristine marine ecosystem virtually untouched by human activity due to the extreme remote location
• ✓Expedition-style diving with dedicated charter boats in one of the most isolated dive destinations in the southern hemisphere

Getting There

Expedition charter boats from Whangarei or Kaitaia, approximately 8 hours crossing