BARREN ARCH


Blue Maomao
NE side Tawhiti Rahi (between Hope Pt and Cream Gardens)
POOR KNIGHTS ISLAND, NORTHLAND
Depth: 10-40m
The name is wrong - schools of fish hang out in the arch and the walls are colourful. Look for carpet sharks amongst the boulders in the entrance. Blue and pink maomao swarm in the centre and scorpionfish and half-banded perch sit amongst the ascidians, sponges and other invertebrates. Look for Jason nudibranchs on the hydroids outside the eastern entrance.