Long Island Marine Reserve – Marlborough Sounds & Nelson/Tasman

20m Max

8-20m Vis

boat

Site Overview

Long Island Marine Reserve in Queen Charlotte Sound is one of the most accessible and well-protected marine reserves in the Marlborough Sounds, offering calm clear waters, dense kelp forests, and abundant blue cod in a sheltered fiord-like environment. The marine reserve protects the rocky reef and kelp forest ecosystems around Long Island, creating a sanctuary where marine life thrives without fishing pressure. Blue cod are the highlight of the diving experience, patrolling the kelp forest with characteristic curiosity and approaching divers fearlessly in the protected waters. The dense ecklonia kelp forest creates a beautiful underwater landscape with shafts of sunlight filtering through the canopy to illuminate the rocky reef below. Butterfish, also known as greenbone, school among the kelp stipes, their distinctive colouration adding variety to the reef fish community. Crayfish are abundant in the protected waters, reaching impressive sizes on the rocky reef where they shelter in crevices and beneath ledges. The sheltered location in the Marlborough Sounds ensures calm conditions with minimal current, making Long Island ideal for training dives, refresher dives, and family diving. The clear water and abundant marine life create an excellent environment for underwater photography and marine education. The proximity to Picton and the Queen Charlotte Track makes Long Island a convenient destination that combines world-class diving with outstanding topside activities.

Dive Briefing

"The dive begins near the island shore at approximately 3 metres, where the kelp forest edge meets the rocky coastline. Descend along the kelp forest, following the reef slope to deeper sections at 10 to 15 metres. Blue cod approach immediately, their curiosity and lack of fear a result of decades of marine reserve protection. Butterfish school among the kelp stipes, while crayfish shelter on the rocky reef below. Continue to the deeper reef at 15 to 20 metres where the rocky substrate supports diverse marine communities. Moray eels occupy the deeper crevices, while nudibranchs colonise the rock surfaces. The return follows the shallower kelp forest at 5 to 8 metres where the light creates beautiful patterns through the kelp canopy. The safety stop is conducted in the shallow kelp forest near the island. Search the kelp stipes for juvenile fish and nudibranchs that inhabit the protected marine reserve ecosystem. The deeper reef at 15 to 20 metres supports the most diverse marine communities including moray eels in the rocky crevices and colourful nudibranchs on the rock surfaces."