Diving in Fiordland is a unique experience due to the tea coloured (tanin stained) freshwater layer that permanently sits on the surface of the fiords reducing light penetration. Below this is the calm clear salt water where many organisms usually beyond diveable depths can be seen.
The northern side of this fiord is a marine reserve. While the majority of this area is deep muddy basin, there is a large section of deep reef and a small section of shallow rock wall along the shore that make for good diving. There is also very steep rock-wall on the inner northern side of the sound. This area of Milford Sound/Piopiotahi only rarely receives direct sunlight.
For more information on Fiordland's marine reserves visit www.doc.govt.nz/conservation/marine-and-coastal/marine-protected-areas/…
To watch a short video on this marine reserve follow this link: http://www.doc.govt.nz/upload/documents/conservation/marine-and-coastal…
Aquatic Life:
Piopiotahi Marine Reserve is one of the most popular places in Fiordland to dive and see the black corals for which the fiords are famous, with snakestars and featherstars intertwined betweein their branches. Rock lobster here have shown response to protection and are larger and more common inside the reserve than in adjacent unprotected areas.
Sessile invertebrates thrive in low light areas; these are animals that are fixed to the rock wall, including, encrusting tubeworms, sponges, soft corals, colonial sea squirts, nudibranchs (such as the beautiful Jasons mirabilis) and anemones.
Fish species include girdled wrasse, sea perch (jock stewart) and butterfly perch.
Warnings:
As water clarity in the fiords can extend visibility to great distances it is important to monitor depth gauges frequently to avoid exceeding planned depth.
Allow a rest day before journeying across mountains by road or flying out of the fiords, to reduce the risk of decompression after multi-day repetitive dives.
The weather in Fiordland changes very rapidly, so ensure that you have adequate warm and waterproof gear and appropriate safety equipment on your boat.
Always be aware of yourself and your gear when diving in Fiordland as many slow growing fragile organisms that grow on the walls may be destroyed with a single swipe of a careless diver's fin.
For more information about diver safety and protecting the fragile animals in the Fiordland Marine Area visit: www.doc.govt.nz/conservation/marine-and-coastal/marine-protected-areas/…
Directions:
Fiordland is in the far southwestern corner of the South Island and much of the region is inaccessible by road. The township of Te Anau is considered the gateway to the park. State Highway 94 to Te Anau branches off the main Invercargill to Queenstown Road. There are regular bus services to Te Anau and Milford Sound, the only sound accessable by road. Boats may be launched from the head of Milford Sound.