Page 25 - pākuViews Summer 2013
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Ocean Views - Native Bush - Rolling Pastures
Ph Peter: 021 942 146
Priced from only
$199,000
Heavily discounted prices valid until 2 lots sold
9:30-3:00 except Tuesday
SHEPPARD AVE. • PAUANUI BEACH • +64 7 864 9044
www:pauanuigardenart.co.nz
• Garden Design &
Plant supply
• Jewellery/Scarves
• Pots & Garden Art
• Flowers/Shrubs/Trees
• Decorative Homeware
The Underwater
Gardens of the
Honeycomb
Caves
The Old Mill Café
VERANDAH DINING WITH ESTUARY VIEWS
at the Base of PAKU
Boutique Shop/Licensed Café & Deli
Phone 07 864 9390
1 Esplanade at the base of Paku, Tairua
Breakfast & Lunch from 8 am
Tapas and cocktails 3pm to 5pm daily
Dinner from 5:30pm
Follow us on facebook for updates on
Music Nights, Specials and Hours
Our area has some of the most diverse diving available in the world,
and whatever your underwater passion, there are dives available for
everyone. Alex Harris shared the ‘Magic of the Alderman Islands’
in the 2012 Spring issue. Named by Captain Cook himself in 1769,
the fabulous Aldermen Islands is one of their most popular dive
sites, with over 30 dives to rival the Poor Knights. This issue Alex
describes the wonder of one of those sites.
Located about 16 kilometres (10 miles) off Tairua near the continental
shelf, the Aldermen Islands are a series of craggy volcanic islands which
rise dramatically from the ocean floor, penetrating the surface with
impressive rock formations. It offers a variety of riches for the underwater
photographer. Denizens of the deep include nudibranchs, crayfish,
stingrays, dolphins, seals, turtles, marlin, and the occasional visit by pods
of orca whales. It also offers superb fishing with large snapper and kingfish.
The Honeycomb Caves, located at the northwest end of Flat island, are a
series of partially filled tunnels allowing divers to surface anywhere, making
it appropriate and appealing for all diving levels. The best starting point is
the north entrance at a depth of 10 meters. Swimming between the rock
walls, expect to encounter schools of damoiselles, blue maomao, snapper
and black angels; the many crevasses house cray and moray eels.
Swimming farther, the light fades and just as you think “I’d better turn
back”, look to your right and what you see is so stunning, it catches your
breath – sunlight streaming down through holes in the roof! The clarity of
the cobalt water is astounding. You soon emerge into an ocean abundant
in marine life, the lush greenery with bursts of brilliant colour reminiscent
of being in a garden ... only you are underwater. And all the while you are
followed by inquisitive fish that seem to find you highly amusing. Rest
assured, you can easily follow the wall back to the entrance.
The light play and abundant marine life found on this “mind and sight
blowing” dive are sure to leave you with a smile behind your regulator and
memories to last a lifetime. And don’t forget your camera!
Ring or stop by now to have Mike and Alex Harris plan your dive trip,
864 8800.
Photo : Darryl Torckler /
photonewzealand.co.nz
- Dive equipment
- Dive Courses
- Dive trips
- Air Fills
- Hire GeAr
- CylinDer testinG
- equipment serviCinG
7 The Esplanade,
Paku Boat Ramp, Tairua
P:
07 864 8800
M:
021 1457 365
E:
