Northern Arch at the Poor Knights is THE ARCH.
At the northern end of Tawhiti Rati and on the end of Te Araara Point it is susceptible to current and that is exactly what makes it so special. The archway is quite short, but very deep. At 40m in the middle, the bouldery bottom tumbles away to beyond 50m at either end.
Diver Level Advanced Open Water and above*
*Open Water divers or above with exceptional buoyancy control and awareness can enjoy this magnificent site. Do not dive here if you have not mastered buoyancy control or awareness.
Depth Steep walls down to 40m and deeper as you swim away from the island to over 60m
Great for snorkelers who are comfortable in blue water along the walls and through the archway.
Fantastic for technical divers.
The currents that pass through the archway bring valuable nutrients to the sponges and encrusting life that cover the walls and floor, as well as feed the thousands of Blue and Pink Mao Mao and Two Spotted Demoiselle that fill the archway.
Huge snapper and kingfish glide through on the current and stingrays can be found stacked up on top of one another during the summer months. If you are luck you may get a glimpse of a bronze whaler shark, but these shy animals tend to be found out on the point hanging in the current.
Due to the depths and potential current, great buoyancy control and depth awareness is a must here to enjoy the kaleidoscope of colours in the top layers and not to accidentally follow the fish deeper beyond your diving limits.
The best spot on the arch is at approx 22m depth, there is an overhang on the eastern wall where you will find the Blue and Pink Mao Mao schooling and lots of life on the walls. This is an ideal place to view the entire arch.
At the bottom of the archway huge sponge covered boulders cover the bottom and in between these you can find golden snapper, Lord Howe Coral fish and Yellow Banded Perch.
If you swim out towards the 50+ depths, the sponge life becomes more vast. And a swim or scooter around the point may even have you bump into a bronze whaler shark or something even more special such as a hammerhead. The same route around the point in the shallows is also a fantastic route to take is you have enough gas. Large snapper and other fish school in the current on the point.
Tutukaka Coastguard VHF Channel 62
Distress & Emergency VHF channel 16 or phone 111
Diver Emergency Service (DES) 0800 4 337 111
The Diver Emergency Service (DES) is a 24 hour, 7 days a week hotline for advice and treatment of all diving related incidents, accidents or injuries, including the emergency management of decompression illness.
