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Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve

Northland region

Poor Knights Islands, Tawhiti Rahi and Aorangi Island from The Citadel. Photo: Peter de Lange.

Poor Knights Islands

Northland region.

In 1981, the ocean surrounding the Poor Knights Islands was established as New Zealand's second marine reserve. The marine reserve extends for 800 metres offshore around the Poor Knights Islands.

Beneath the waves at the Poor Knights an ocean of diving has been compressed into a relatively small area. The caves, arches, tunnels and sheer cliffs provide a great variety of habitats to explore. Visitors to the marine reserve are welcome and boating, snorkelling, scuba diving and canoeing are encouraged.

Location

The Poor Knights Islands are located off the east coast of Northland.

Features

Beneath the waves at the Poor Knights, the caves, arches, tunnels and sheer cliffs provide a great variety of habitats to explore.

Activities at Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve

Visitors to the Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve can enjoy boating, snorkelling, scuba diving and canoeing.

Places to stay

There is no DOC-managed accommodation at Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve. Tutukaka Harbour offers the closest place to stay.

Plan & prepare

Find out how to get to Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve, view a map, showing the location and boundaries of the reserve, and review the rules and regulations that must be followed once there.

Highlights:

Monitoring

DOC is monitoring the changes in the Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve. In this section you can review some of the results of this monitoring programme.

Map & boundaries

View a map and find out about the boundaries of Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve.

Find out more

Publications

Video clip about Poor Knights Islands from Protecting our seas DVD

A literature review on the Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve

Weather

Maps

New Zealand topographic maps are available from DOC Visitor Centres

Learn more

Learn more about driving on the Beach - NRC website
Get involved in CoastCare - NRC website

Stop the spread of didymo

Check, Clean, Dry all items before entering, and when moving between, waterways.

Safety

Follow the Outdoor Safety Code:
1. Plan your trip
2. Tell someone
3. Be aware of the weather
4. Know your limits
5. Take sufficient supplies

Tips for driving on unsealed roads

Contacts

Whangarei Area Office
Phone:	+64 9 470 3304

Email:
Full office details