Poor Knights top: Lonely Planet

Rikoriko Cave, in the Poor Knights group, is the world's largest sea cave. Photo / Dive! Tututaka

Lonely Planet has confirmed what Northlanders have known for years - the unmissable site that has made New Zealand's top 10 list.

One of the top travel organisations in the world has confirmed what Northlanders have known for years - Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve is one of the best water adventures in the country.

Lonely Planet this week released a top 10 list of New Zealand's unmissable aquatic adventures and the Poor Knights was the only diving experience named.

Dive!Tutukaka owner and director Jeroen Jongejans said he was pleased the marine reserve had got that recognition. However, he was not surprised.

"When we take people out we give them one of the best days of their lives," Mr Jongejans said. "We get that feedback all the time."

Over recent years the marine reserve had received increasingly more recognition, including from aquatic legend Jacques Cousteau, who had said it was one of the word's top 10 diving spots.

"The island's underwater cliffs drop steeply through crystal waters to form a maze of archways, caves and tunnels adorned with sponges and a vivid array of underwater vegetation," said Lonely Planet.

"Rays, and a variety of colourful fish not present elsewhere in New Zealand, can be spotted here thanks to the subtropical current from the Coral Sea."

One of the unique features of the Poor Knights was the entirely protected environment, Mr Jongejans said.

"It's building on the sustainable use of the environment," he said. "It's only going to go from strength to strength."

Also listed were: Raglan surfing, Auckland sailing, blackwater rafting in Waitomo, Tongariro River rafting, kayaking in Okarito Lagoon and Abel Tasman National Park, Torrent River canyoning, swimming with seals in Kaikoura and swimming with dolphins in Akaroa.