In 1985, Greenpeace’s flagship, The Rainbow Warrior, was en path to protest nuclear testing by the French in Moruroa Atoll, French Polynesia. It by no means reached its vacation spot, after French Secret Service brokers sank it in Auckland Harbor. Two years later, the wreck of the Rainbow Warrior was moved to create a man-made reef off the Cavalli Islands in Matauri Bay, New Zealand.
Diving the Rainbow Warrior
The Rainbow Warrior, 130 ft (40 m) lengthy, lies in 88 ft (27 m) of water on the deepest level. Satirically, the wreck lives as much as its title, now coated in spectacular, colourful jewel anemones. It’s residence to a wide range of macro life, and divers can see colleges of golden snapper, kingfish, and john dory. The rear cabins home bigeyes, whereas divers can spot roughies within the forecastle.
Though the highest of the wreck sits at round 50 ft (15 m), the primary construction descends hits 88 ft (27 m). The depth of the wreck makes a dive on the Rainbow Warrior a deep(er) dive, which requires no less than a sophisticated qualification. A wreck specialty qualification is required for penetration.
The wreck is upright, leaning barely to the starboard aspect. Though penetration is feasible, the hull has began to interrupt aside, and items of the vessel will be seen scattered alongside the underside. The highest a part of the bridge has collapsed; the masts are gone, and the decks are coated in kelp. Divers can simply see the outlet attributable to the blast that initially sank the vessel on the starboard aspect of the hull.
The port aspect of the wreck faces north and is roofed in seaweed that draws leatherjackets. The starboard aspect’s shade creates excellent circumstances for sponge progress.
Water temperature ranges between 59 F (15 C) from late winter to early spring and 71 F (22 C) in summer time, with visibility between 50 to 65 ft (15 to twenty m). Summer season and fall (between January and Might) deliver the very best visibility. The currents across the wreck are normally fairly gentle, though stronger currents will be current on the floor.
You may dive the Rainbow Warrior both by small boat from Matauri Bay, or by becoming a member of a constitution boat that departs from Paihia within the Bay of Islands.
