The Alderman Islands, Hongiora, Ruamahua-iti, The Spire, and Ruamahua-nui, are often called the vanishing volcanoes. With rocky precipices, rhyolite domes, and breccia deposits, the group of islands was named in honor of the Court of Aldermen by Captain Cook, when he sailed past in 1769. Protected natural spaces since 1933, they are an important component of the Hauraki Gulf Maritime Park. With fantastic diving for everyone, these scenic, pristine islands offer more than a dozen popular dive sites. Let’s take a look at just five of the best.
The Honeycomb Caverns
Just as a honeycomb has many chambers, so does this fantastic series of caverns and tunnels. With majestic walls and intriguing boulders scattered like pebbles on the bottom, the caverns offer both topographical interest and fun. Suitable for intermediate divers and up, the caves are home to an abundance of fish and are covered in brilliant sponge and plant life. With depths from 5 to 25 meters, and visibility at better than ten meters most of the time, the caverns have several entry points and are naturally lit from above for the most part. Look for crayfish and wrasse, demoiselle, and others as you explore.
The Sieve
A fantastic site for underwater photography and home to a wonderful array of marine life, the Sieve is so named for the unusual looking topography that dominates the reef bottom. With several very small, fingerlike reefs which form a system of cracks and crevices, as well as shallow canyons that form a labyrinth you can explore at leisure, it is ideal for intermediate divers and above. Covered in a lush tapestry of anemones, bryozoans and sponges, and other colorful aquatic growth, it is a good place to look for packhorse crayfish and wrasse, moki, moray eels, and demoiselles. While maximum depth is 20 meters, there is plenty to see in as little as five meters of water, and visibility is generally good, at more than ten meters most of the time.
Brenda’s Reef
A wonderful site with diverse terrain, Brenda’s Reef is suitable for all divers. With small caves, overhangs and swimthroughs covered in jewel-toned weeds, crustaceans, and invertebrates, it is also ideal for photography. You’ll find huge boulders and sandy patches as well as small areas forested with stands of kelp; and this excellent variety creates a habitat which supports an abundance of marine life in all shapes, sizes and colors. Look for wrasse and damsels, demoiselle and red moki, blue and pink maomao, and some fairly large crayfish. Maximum depth is 25 meters, and visibility tends to be better than ten meters most of the time. Keep an eye out for stingrays in the sand, and watch for moray eels in the caves!
Gorillas Head
Shallow, with maximum depth at just 15 meters and with most features at depths between 5 and 10 meters, Gorilla’s Head is a favorite second dive. It is suitable for all divers, and offers visibility in the 10 to 15 meter range most of the time. With large boulders along the bottom, plus patches of sand where stingrays and eagle rays sometimes rest, it is well-lighted and perfect for underwater photography.
There are rocky overhangs and swimthroughs as well, creating a fun yet easy dive site where you can find a wide range of life. Look for demoiselles and wrasse, moray eels, maomao, and moray eels as you enjoy a relaxing dive at this magical site.
Stingray Rock
Located to the south of the islands, Stingray Rock is shaped much like the hull of a boat, and is a fantastic multi-level site which is appropriate for intermediate divers and above. Look for schooling blue and pink maomao, lots of anthias, and swaths of golden snappers, as well as hunting mackerel, kawai, king fish, trevally, and the occasional grinning barracuda swimming back and forth in search of strays.
The entire rock is covered in a carpet of invertebrates and sponge, with gorgonians and a little black coral down along the bottom at thirty meters. The massive monolith rises up to within six meters of the surface, so you can enjoy a leisurely ascent once you have explored its many cracks and grottoes. Keep an eye out for sharks and marlins – they can be seen passing from time to time! Lastly, as the name of the site suggests, expect to see stingrays in abundance. They can be found here most of the time.
Don’t be surprised to encounter turtles and dolphins as you explore these beautiful dive sites – they are seen frequently, along with the seals that live in the area. In order to dive the Alderman Islands, you’ll need to get a permit or go with a dive charter or liveaboard which has the required permit. Plan your trip in advance for what is certain to be a wonderful experience.