Mayor Island
Also known as: Tuhua
Best time to dive
January to December; December to April
Certification & difficulty
Advanced Open Water - advanced conditions (currents/depth); dive within your training.
Snorkelling
Snorkel-friendly - Yes - Orongatea Bay has a shallow rock platform suitable for snorkelling
Safety notes
Strong tidal currents at some points, surge in shallow inshore areas, anchor-fouling bottom structure, remoteness (35km from Tauranga, limited charter availability)
Permits & fees
No dive permit required but strict marine reserve rules apply within Tūhua Marine Reserve: no fishing, no taking marine life, no removing materials, careful anchoring; DOC diving factsheet available
Permits and operators change - confirm before booking.
Location
Nearest hub: Tauranga
This profile is desk research, compiled from public sources - not a first-hand dive report. Coordinates are approximate.