The Marlborough Sounds are a sinuous network of drowned river valleys, forming one of New Zealands most distinctive land and seascapes. Nestled in the entrance to Queen Charlotte Sound, are Long Island and neighbouring Kokomohua Islands. This was the first marine reserve in the South Island.
It extends 463 metres offshore from the charted rock and from the high water mark around the islands. Scuba diving on the reef along the north shore of Long Island and around Kokomahua Islands anfd the charted rock further north. Dpeths up to 15m.
Variety of habitats from rocky shores, to deep reefs, underwater cliffs, canyons and sand flats. Seaweed forests, sea squirts,, anemone. Sponges, sea urchinsand shell fish, crayfish. A variety of fish are present, like cod and kahawai. Cockles, scallops, sea cucumbers, mussels and hermit crabs dominate the open sand flats.
