Russ' Ravine

Russ' Ravine is an advanced dive site in the Hauraki Gulf near Mahurangi, reaching 28 meters along a dramatic underwater ravine cut into the seabed. Named for a member of the local diving community, this site offers the excitement of deep ravine diving where the enclosed topography creates an atmospheric experience quite different from open-reef diving. The ravine is a natural geological feature where the volcanic rock has been eroded or faulted to create a steep-sided channel in the seabed. Swimming through the ravine creates a sense of descent between walls that rise on either side, with the enclosed space amplifying the diving experience and concentrating marine life along the ravine's walls and floor. The rock surfaces within the ravine support encrusting communities adapted to the reduced light and enhanced water flow of the enclosed space. Sponges, anemones, and various colonial organisms create colorful growth on the ravine walls, while the shaded sections harbor species that prefer low-light conditions. The deeper sections of the ravine reach 28 meters, providing access to communities rarely encountered at shallower depths. Marine life is concentrated within the ravine's confines, with snapper, crayfish, and various reef species using the formation for shelter and feeding. The enclosed space means encounters happen at close range, creating more intimate marine interactions than open-water sites typically provide. Russ' Ravine offers advanced divers a distinctive Hauraki Gulf experience where dramatic geological topography meets rich temperate marine life.