Astrolabe Reef

Ōtaiti (Astrolabe Reef) lies 22 km from the Tauranga Harbour entrance, in open sea with no shelter from the prevailing conditions, and currents often sweep across it. It is one of the dive sites inside the Motiti Protection Area, where anchoring is permitted as long as the guidelines are followed. The reef breaks the surface and then slopes down past 50 m (164 ft), and it covers a large area.

The MV Rena grounded on the reef in October 2011. Much work has since been done to clear the superstructure, so it no longer breaks the surface. The wreck occupies the south-east corner of the reef, with portions found from 8 m (26 ft). The top side of the main hull starts at 20 m (66 ft) and slopes off to 30 m (98 ft), and the bottom of the main hull is at about 50 m (164 ft).

In good conditions this is a great site, with clearer water and fish often gathered in large schools. The rocks and weeds shelter plenty of life, including nudibranchs, octopus and crayfish, and there are several crevasses, slots, walls and tunnels to dive.