HMNZS Wellington Wreck – Wellington & South Coast

Site Overview

The HMNZS Wellington wreck is a former Royal New Zealand Navy frigate that was scuttled off Island Bay on the Wellington south coast in 2005, creating one of the most accessible and popular wreck dives in the country. The frigate sits upright on the bottom at depths of 20 to 30 metres, its hull and superstructure largely intact and providing excellent exploration opportunities for qualified wreck divers. Massive schools of blue maomao surround the wreck in shimmering walls of blue, creating one of the most spectacular fish aggregations at any New Zealand wreck site. Kingfish patrol the wreck exterior, their golden bodies contrasting with the blue maomao schools and the dark hull of the frigate. The wreck has been colonised by diverse marine organisms including sponges, soft corals, and encrusting invertebrates that have transformed the naval vessel into a thriving artificial reef. Moray eels occupy the interior spaces accessible through prepared openings, while nudibranchs colonise the hull surfaces in impressive diversity. The HMNZS Wellington is also renowned as an excellent night dive, when the blue maomao schools transform into a silver wall reflecting torch light and nocturnal species emerge from the wreck structure. The proximity to Wellington city makes this wreck among the most accessible navy frigate dives in New Zealand, with multiple operators running regular trips from the harbour.