10-30 metres. Near vertical rock walls, submerged pinnacles and drop offs characterise this dive site which gets very deep very quickly. Minimal sediment run-off from the pinnacles result in very clear water here with visibility regularly exceeding 20 metres.

Aquatic Life:

The rock faces at this site are encrusted with colourful invertebrates and fish life is extremely abundant. Schools of baitfish, trevally, pink and blue maomao attract larger fish like kingfish and sharks. The beautiful diadema urchin and vivid firebrick starfish are highlights of this site, found rarely elsewhere in the region. Moray eels, Spanish lobsters, Lord Howe coralfish and banded coral shrimps are among the other species that can be seen at this site.

Warnings:

Beware of currents on this dive. This site is a marine reserve. All life and natural features are totally protected. It is illegal to take, disturb, kill or damage anything within the reserve and anyone who commits an offence may be subject to a fine of up to $250,000 and/or imprisonment. It is also an offence to pollute or litter the reserve, discharge any firearm in or into the reserve or erect any structure in the reserve.

Directions:

Volkner Rocks (Te Paepae o Aotea) are located about 55kms offshore north/northwest of Whakatane near the better known, White Island (Whakaari). Dive charters operate out of Whakatane to this site and White Island.