The east coast of Northland offers many islands and bays perfect for diving at pinnacles, reefs and shipwrecks.

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Northland is the most northern of the sixteen different regions in New Zealand. It is with all its rugged bays along its east shore also one of the best for diving. The water is relatively warm and rich, there are many offshore protected reefs and with its deep pinnacles and spectacular wrecks it is a paradise for diving. The Bay of Islands and Doubtless Bay are particularly pretty and considered to be the two more touristic bays. Famous dive sites include the Rainbow Warrior around Cavalli Islands and the Tui and Waikato near Tutukaka.

Northland has one of the mildest climates in New Zealand making it a perfect destination for the winter months. Water temperatures can reach 23 degrees in summer and cool off to 13 degrees in winter. February to June is generally the best time to dive Northland when visibilities can exceed twenty meters. You can visit a long stretch of beautiful sandy beach named Ninety Mile Beach or enjoy the natural beauty of kauri trees in Waipoua Forest. Whangarei district offers Mount Manaia, Bream Bay and it is the place where the Twin Coast meets each other. Other sights not to be missed are the Karikari Peninsula, sand boarding near Cape Reinga and Paihia to visit many of the offshore islands. The diving is very different from the coral reefs in Australia, but fish life is as numerous but with less colors. In New Zealand you will also find more colored water plants instead of hard corals.

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