The Pinnacles (D'Urville Island) – Marlborough Sounds & Nelson/Tasman

Site Overview

The Pinnacles off D'Urville Island at the outer reaches of the Marlborough Sounds offer dramatic offshore pinnacle diving with massive schools of blue maomao, kingfish, and seasonal bronze whaler shark encounters in pristine clear water. The rocky pinnacles rise from deep water at the boundary between the Marlborough Sounds and the open ocean, creating concentrated marine habitats where nutrient-rich currents support extraordinary biodiversity. The underwater topography consists of sheer rocky pinnacles rising from depths beyond recreational limits, their walls covered in dense soft coral gardens and gorgonian fans. Massive schools of blue maomao create shimmering walls of blue on the pinnacle slopes, while kingfish patrol the reef edge hunting smaller fish. Pink maomao join the aggregations at deeper depths, adding purple hues to the colourful fish schools. New Zealand fur seals regularly visit the pinnacles, their playful curiosity creating memorable underwater encounters as they interact with divers. Bronze whaler sharks make seasonal appearances during the summer months, cruising the blue water beyond the pinnacle edges. The remote offshore location ensures crystal-clear water with visibility often exceeding 25 metres, making the Pinnacles a premier wide-angle photography destination. The combination of dramatic pinnacles, massive fish schools, seal encounters, and potential shark sightings makes the D'Urville Island Pinnacles the ultimate offshore diving experience in the Marlborough Sounds region.