Sites: Homestead Reef | Laisons Reef | The Spanish Arch 
           Volkner Rocks - Diadema Rock | The Springs | Champagne Bay

These are the sites around White Island where we dive, depending on your experience we have access to a great range of magnificent sites. White Island - amazing activity above and below...

Homestead Reef

On the Southern side of White Island, homestead is so named because it is adjacent to the miner's campsite when the island was mined for Sulphur at the beginning of this century.

Homestead reef is a fantastic dive site for all levels of divers. Anchoring at the top of the drop-off in 12-13m water, allows the newer divers to experience this popular dive site, renown for it’s huge schools , and variety of fish. Blue maomao cluster near the drop-off, while big blue moki hang motionless off the wall. In and around the huge volcanic boulders, you’ll see leatherjackets blending in with the kelp, and moray eels hiding in the crevices. Don’t forget to gaze into the “blue” for passing kingfish and other pelagics.

Depth range: 12m-30m.
Diver level: Novice to experienced. A crowd pleaser.

Laison's Reef

Midway between White Island and the Volkner Rocks lies this hidden gem of a dive site. Named after the fisherman Henry Laison, who discovered  this sea mount. Rising  from the depths  of 150metres to 14metres below the surface, this is a top wall dive site. Hang motionlessly off the wall and spot school of big kingfish speed by, watch the sting rays hover in stack formations into the current, or peer down into the depths at the thousands of blue and pink maomao and demoiselles.

Depth range: 14m-35m.
Diver level: Advanced and experienced divers. (currents and exposed dive site).

The Spanish Arch

Nestled in a quiet cove behind South Rock lies a consistently favourite dive site. Anchored in the calm bay in 8metres of water, this site has it all. Sandy/rocky ground in the bay, to the finger reef that extends out from South Rock, where diver’s can swim through the “Arch”. See the resident Spanish lobster there-hence the name. Shine your torch on the recess of the arch and a palette of colours awaits you along with loads of big eye fish.

Circumnavigating South Rock underwater brings the resident Sandager’s wrasse to your side where you can hand feed them kina (sea urchins), and spot scorpion fish blending into the rocks. Also the many hundreds of Blue Moamoa will surround you. This site is a photographers paradise.

Depth range: 8m-15m.
Diver level: novice to experienced. Great snorkeling site for non divers.

Volkner Rocks - Diadema Rock

A small cluster of rocky pinnacles lie 5 nautical miles north west of White Island. The Volkner Rocks are vestiges of an ancient volcano so the underwater topography is spectacular. One such site is Diadema Rock. On the northern side of the big Volkner is this small pointed pinnacle. Rising to just 8metres under the surface and descending sharply to 40 plus metres.

Not a very large site but a very dramatic one. The site is named after the many colourful diadema urchin that inhabit the rocks. Lord Howe coral fish are plentiful and occasionally an exotic species is spotted here. Dip down to see the black coral  near the base of the pinnacle and keep a sharp eye for sharks which can be seen cruising by.

Depth range: 8m-35m
Diver level: advance and experienced. (currents and exposed dive site).

The Springs

Tucked into the northern side of White Island is this very varied dive site. Named for the volcanic vents to be seen underwater with warm water bubbling out from the bottom. A site of amazing topography and varied terrain. Large volcanic boulders, deep "guts" and a mini wall flattening out to a sandy bottom to the north. Full of surprises, this site is great for "macro" creatures on and around the rocks, and super sized kina (sea urchins), which are a local indigenous delicacy. Sting rays and eagle rays can be spotted here too.

Depth range: 5m-25m.
Diver level: novice to experienced.

Champagne Bay

This exotic sounding site lies on the north east corner of White Island. Spectacular top-side photography of the island and a great all round dive site makes for a nice calm spot to have lunch during the surface interval. Called Champagne Bay because the many underwater vents with escaping bubbles resembles a glass of champagne.

Plentiful fish-life and a garden-like feel makes this an interesting site. A good place to snorkel as well for the non divers onboard.

Depth range: 5m-20m
Diver level: snorkeller's novice and advanced divers.

We would like to thank Pelagic Productions who specialise in capturing underwater and topside images in High Definition video for television and film. Visit pelagicproductions.com for more videos by Pelagic Productions.