Dive Report Army Bay, Whangaparaoa Peninsula
4 November 2022
Shore dive from boat ramp
1hr
Max depth 4m
High tide
Vis 2-3m
Just the 5mm wetsuit
Carpark empty (no boats). Left from boat ramp not long after high tide. Headed NW for 20m until found extensive coraline turf at 2m-3m. Then headed W to find some rocky ridges topped with ecklonia. I explored these to 4m looking under ledges, then headed back SW.
There were quite a few large rhodoliths in the area but most where dead (white). The coraline turf was dull coloured. I only saw eight kina. I counted seven goatfish and two small schools of sweep under the ledges. Just a few common triplefins but four species of sea slug including eight white-speckled seahares.
Observations
Photos / Sounds
What
Florideophycean Algae (Class Florideophyceae)Observer
shaun-leeDescription
Scytothamnus australis
Photos / Sounds
What
Clown Doris (Ceratosoma amoenum)Observer
shaun-leeDescription
Clown nudibranch
Photos / Sounds
What
Hermit Crabs (Superfamily Paguroidea)Observer
shaun-leeDescription
Ha! I thought I was photographing snails.
Photos / Sounds
What
New Zealand Hermit Crab (Pagurus novizealandiae)Observer
shaun-leeDescription
Fighting
Photos / Sounds
What
White-speckled Seahare (Aplysia argus)Observer
shaun-leeDescription
Eight counted
Comments
Interesting dive!
From my sole intertidal exploration at Army Bay I noticed many rhodoliths in gravels bed (a mixture of white and pink). It seems like in the sheltered part it will have softer sediment and as you head up the pennisula you find a more 'rocky' reef. I saw some cool caves and crevices further out and some reefs - a place I am keen to explore come summer. I also saw a dolphin just of the rocks. When I head out there to snorkel should I let you know and we could explore the 'rockier' reefs?
@fiestykakapo This was my first dive in the area, and I didn't go very far, but my experience is consistent with your description. Yes I'm interested in exploring more of the end of the peninsular.
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