Rock reef down to a sandy bottom, up to 35 metres deep. Rock lobster and a good variety of invertebrates, rock lobster and occasionally Spanish lobster can be found.
The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.
Touwai Bay
This anchorage has deep water close to shore - anchor close for better
shelter. Good holding on muddy sandy bottom. Exposed to southwest,
west and northwest winds. Beware of the 2.2m shallow when leaving the
bay heading southwest.
Waitapu Bay
Calm shallow anchorage with good holding in muddy sandy bottom. Very
sheltered, especially from southwest or northeast winds, exposed to
northwest.
Rere Bay
Good calm sheltered anchorage, especially for smaller vessels with draft 2m which can tuck in further. Good holding in 3-6 metres in muddy bottom. Exposed to east, southeast and westerly winds.
Waitepipi Bay
Good calm anchorage, suitable in all winds except east and southeast.
Good holding in 3-8 metres with sandy bottom. Climb up the hill on the southwest side of the bay for a greatview.
Allegresse - September 28, 2014
[password] Allegre$$e
[position] 17 46.2 S, 177 22.9.1 E
[speed] 0.0knts
[heading]
[status]Motored across to Denerau as there was absolutely no wind on Saturday morning. Time for jobs, re-provisioning and making sure that Allegresse is ready to head west early mid-week. Looks like we will have to head up to Vuda to clear customs as Denerau despite the advertising has not got this one sorted yet.
[END]
Lottin Point
0-30 metres.
Aquatic Life:
This is a rich dive site well worth the treck. Fish include blue maomao, snapper, blue moki, porae and kingfish.
Warnings:
Beware of fishing line among the kelp.
Directions:
10 km west of hicks Bay. Access off the rocks or from the small sandy beach at the end of the gravel road.
Club Rocks, White Island
0-30 metres. Rocky reef extending out on the western side with caves and archways.
Aquatic Life:
Sponges, hydroids and bryozoans. Abundant reef fish, blue and pink maomao and occasional kingfish.
Directions:
South of White Island.
Homestead Reef, White Island
12-25 metres. Swim-throughs between boulders and sand gutters.
Aquatic Life:
Blue and pink maomao, butterfly perch, sweep and occasional snapper, tarakihi and large blue moki. Kingfish can be seen hunting smaller baitfish. Walls are covered in soft corals, hydroids, sponges and firebrick sea stars.
Directions:
200 metres off the southwestern side of White Island.
Big Volkner, Volkner Rocks (Te Paepae Aotea) Marine Reserve
6-30+ metres. Submerged pinnacle in the path of the warm eastern current.
Aquatic Life:
Kingfish are common and other pelagics like marlin, tuna and sharks can occasionally be seen. The pinnacle is richly encrusted with invertebrate life including the iconic diadema sea urchins, firebrick sea stars and nudibranchs. Rock lobster and occasionally Spanish and packhorse lobsters can be seen here. The warm current also allows subtropical species like banded coral shrimps to make their homes here.