LITTLE BARRIER & MOKOHINAU CHARTER
2 DAY - 2 ISLAND DIVE TOUR
Join us on our Little Barrier/Mokohinau liveaboard tour for a 2 day fully inclusive liveaboard trip, and experience between 2 – 4 dives per day from our boat, depending on depth and duration of dives.
Little Barrier / Te Hauturu-o-Toi
The rocky reefs around Little Barrier have abundant fish and invertebrate life among the kelp forests. The holes and cracks house many crayfish, perhaps the overflow from Tawharanui Marine Park and Goat Island Marine Reserve on the adjacent coast. Many large red moki often shared their holes or swam through the weed above them. Their rarer cousins, the painted moki, are also found there.
Add the swarms of demoiselle and blue maomao schools over the sponge gardens and Little Barrier offers some of the best diving close to Auckland. If you are the hunter gatherer type you can also try your hand at catching crays and taking a feed home for the family.
Lying off New Zealand’s north east coast between the Poor Knights Islands and Great Barrier Island is a group of volcanic islands called the Mokohinau Islands. They are rarely visited by divers but offer some of the best diving in New Zealand. The Mokohinau Islands are exposed to the same East Auckland current that sweeps through the Poor Knights and down the coast, bringing with it a rich diversity of life and at times, outstanding visibility. This northern group of islands has spectacular offshore diving, with steep walls, colourful invertebrate life and good fish schools, including snapper, blue and pink maomao, trevally, kingfish and the occasional bronze whaler shark.
To join one of our charters, you must have dived within the last 12 months – contact us if you need a refresher course.
DIVE TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Little Barrier has is a rich eco-system fed by the East Auckland current that travels through the famous Poor Knights and Mokohinau Islands. The climate is sub-tropical providing temperate waters and with its colourful volcanic history, there is plenty to explore underwater. Now one of New Zealand’s highest graded nature reserves, the island imposes is Jurassic presence upon you when you arrive!
In contrast the Mokohinau Islands stand tall and hard with its large cliff walls and providing deep spectacular dives. There is little opportunity to shelter here so overnight stays are made in the calm bays at Little Barrier.
DIVE TOUR DETAILS & INCLUSIONS
Heading out from Sandspit Wharf just 45min north of Auckland, the charter will spend two days and one night out on site. Food is plentiful and accommodation is in bunk style. You can expect to make up to 4 dives a day depending on the depth and duration of you dives. Dive gear can be provided if required.
Clients may bring their own alcohol, however, this may only be consumed after diving activities have completed.
DIVE CHARTER ITINERARY
Leaving at approximately 8:00am on the first morning, Hawere will head out to the first of four dive sites. Lunch and evening meal will be provided onboard with a light mid-afternoon snacks.
A relaxing evening will be spent onboard and guests will be allowed to fish. Hawere will moor for the evening in a tranquil bay at Little Barrier
An early start on the second day will allow for two dives to be completed before lunch and a further two before we head back to Sandspit for the evening.
WHAT TO BRING
Clients will need to bring warm clothing, sleeping bag or duvet. Bed sheets & pillows will be provided.
If you have your own dive gear you are welcome to bring it. Those requiring rental gear will need to complete the relevant forms prior to sailing.
Meals, snacks and soft drinks are provided (unfortunately we cannot cater for specific dietary requirements).
LITTLE BARRIER & MOKOHINAU ISLANDS
AT A GLANCE
2 day liveaboard charter on the boat Hawere. Fully inclusive of food, accommodation and diving. Up to 4 dives a day and open to all levels of certified divers. Departs/returns to Sandspit Wharf near Warkworth.