If you jump in on the eastern side of the point you find yourself in a fairly shallow bay kelpy dropping off fairly quickly to the north to sand flats. A reef runs along the west side of the bay and about a third of the way along is the hole in the rock. Divers swim through here then pop out the other side to slightly deeper rocky terrain with sandy channels.

This site is a marine reserve so you cannot take anything out or discharge anything into it.

Aquatic Life:

A few fur seals often haul out here and young ones in particular can be very playful with the older ones slightly unnerving as they come racing towards you and veer off at the last minute! Quite a thrill having these guys fly past you on a dive!
Make sure you check under large rocks here as thanks to the protection of the marine reserve the rock lobster (crayfish) are massive! Lots of leather jackets, blue cod, butterfish, butterfly perch, large big red and blue moki, lots of different anenomes, and occasional scorpionfish.
Just inside the hole in the rock as you enter from the eastern side you are greeted by a vibrant wall covered in jewel anenomes. A large marblefish seems to be resident in here.

Warnings:

Depending on tides and other sea conditions there can be a strong current going through the hole here. Try and take your time without bashing against the walls as the entry in particular is beautiful!

This is a no-take marine reserve. It is an offence to take or harm anything or discharge anything into a marine reserve. www.doc.govt.nz/marinereserves

Directions:

If you don't have a boat just ring one or the Wellington dive shops and enquire about when their next trip out to Kapiti is. Most dive charters launch from Paraparaumu Beach. From Wellington head north on State Highway 1, turn left at the maine Paraparaumu intersection down Kapiti Road until you hit the end. Straight ahead at the roundabout is the Kapiti Boating Club and carpark where charters tend to leave from.

Hole in the Rock is at the north western most tip of Kapiti Island. Generally boats drop divers in on the eastern side of the reef and pick divers up on the western side but this can be dependent on sea conditions.