Shears Rock

Shears Rock is a beginner-friendly dive site in the Hauraki Gulf near the Whangaparaoa Peninsula, north of Auckland. This submerged rock formation rises from the seabed to create a concentrated marine habitat that attracts fish and invertebrate populations from the surrounding area, making it a productive dive site within easy reach of New Zealand's largest city. The rock formation acts as a natural reef, providing the hard substrate that concentrates marine life in the otherwise sandy or low-relief seabed. The volcanic rock surfaces are colonized by encrusting organisms including sponges, anemones, and various colonial species that create the colorful coverage characteristic of Hauraki Gulf hard-substrate habitats. The rock's vertical faces and overhangs provide sheltered positions for species that prefer reduced light and enclosed spaces. Marine life around Shears Rock reflects the productive warm temperate ecology of the Hauraki Gulf. Snapper aggregate around the formation, drawn by the food concentration and shelter it provides. Schools of blue maomao and sweep create movement in the water column, while crayfish and various crustaceans occupy the rock's crevices. The concentration effect of the isolated rock formation means marine life density at the site can significantly exceed that of the surrounding flat seabed. The beginner-friendly conditions and accessible boat diving from the nearby coast make Shears Rock a convenient option for Auckland divers seeking a quality underwater experience without extensive travel.