North Island's West Coast Feature

About 17,000 seabirds nest in the Nga Motu-Sugar Loaf Islands Marine Protected Area. Shearwaters, petrels, terns, penguins, shags, and herons, some of them threatened species (the reef heron is one), nest and feed on and around these little islands. The islands are also a breeding colony and hauling grounds for New Zealand fur seals; in winter more than 400 seals congregate here. Dolphins and orca and pilot whales frequent the waters around the islands, and humpback whales migrate past in August and September.

Beneath the water's surface, caves, crevices, boulder fields, and sand flats, together with the merging of warm and cool sea currents, support a wealth of marine life. More than 80 species of fish have been recorded here, along with jewel and striped anemones, sponges, and rock lobsters.

Taranaki Dive Shop. The diving is fabulous; visibility is best in summer and autumn (up to 20 meters ). Contact Taranaki Dive Shop. 35A Ocean View Parade, New Plymouth, 4310. 06/758-3348. adam_rosser@yahoo.com.

On land, more than 80 different native plant species survive on the islands. Cook's scurvy grass, almost extinct on the mainland, grows on two of the islands. The palatable species is rich in vitamin C and was sought by early sailors to treat scurvy.

The best way to appreciate these islands is by boat. Landing is restricted, but kayaking and chartered launch trips leave regularly from New Plymouth.

Department of Conservation. Nga Motu-Sugar Loaf Islands are managed by the Department of Conservation. 06/759-0350.

Contact the New Plymouth i-SITE Visitors Information Centre for information.