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Poor Knights Islands rich with sealife and history
An extraordinary and unique sea-carved landscape of soaring arches, vast seacaves and hidden harbours, 23kms off the mainland in the warm Pacific Ocean . Total reserve status above and below the water protects the unique flora and fauna and creates one of the top ten dive sites of the world. (Jacques Cousteau)
The Poor Knights Islands are a 4 million year old rhyolite volcano, believed to be remains of large lava domes running from the Coromandel Peninsula to the east coast of Northland. Most of the islands are surrounded by sheer cliffs some plunging to a depth of 90 metres with numerous caves and archways above and below the water. With a tragic Maori history, the island remains to this day uninhabited, however, its underwater treasures are held in the highest regard. Established as a Marine reserve in 1981 - an ocean of diving has been compressed into a relatively small area. From turbulent sunlight waters and kelp forests on the upper reaches of the tumbling “giant staircase”, to the dark waters of the islands many caves. The Poor Knights Islands is attracting world-wide attention as a dive destination.
Poor Knights is also home of Riko Riko cave - recently surveyed as the largest sea cave in the world.
More info: Destination Northland
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