The Poor Knight Islands are located about 11 miles off the Tutukaka coast on the north island of NewZealand. This impressive mountain chain was formed from volcanic activity millions of years ago when the islands separated from the main land. Over the course of time archways, caves and tunnels were formed by the action of wind and water giving very unique shapes. Steep vertical walls emerge as much as 90 meters from the sea floor and extend far above the surface. The clear and warm water hosts a diverse abundance of subtropical sea life making this a must visit dive spot.

Within the Poor Knights islands there are more species of plants and animals than anywhere else along the New Zealand coast. World famous diver, Jacques Cousteau, named the Poor Knight Islands as one of the top 10 dive sites in the world.

The beauty about these islands is that they are isolated and are protected from human disturbance. No official hiking trails exist and there is no easy way to traverse the island tops. The islands did have a Maori population living there for several generations, but since that time Poor Knights have been uninhabited.