New Zealand

Diving in Poor Knights Islands

24 sites98 species14–23 °C10–30 m vis

Photo by Tim Marshall on Unsplash

Jacques Cousteau called it one of the top 10 dive sites in the world. New Zealand's Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve is a subtropical-meets-temperate wonderland of sea caves, archways, and sponge gardens. Swim through the world's largest sea cave, drift past 6 volcanic arches, and explore sponge gardens where snapper biomass has grown 818% since protection — all within a no-take marine reserve 22 km off the Northland coast.

Snapper biomass increased 818% after the marine reserve became fully no-take in 1998, making it one of the most successful marine conservation stories in the world.Rikoriko Cave is the world's largest sea cave by volume, with a 30 m high ceiling and extending 200 m into the island.The Poor Knights Islands are the southernmost location in the world where you can see subtropical marine species, thanks to the warm East Auckland Current.Jacques Cousteau named the Poor Knights Islands one of the top 10 dive sites in the world.The islands are the eroded remnants of a 4-million-year-old volcano that was originally 1,000 m tall and 25 km in diameter.

Explore the map

Select a pin to learn more. Use the zoom buttons or pinch to zoom.

Loading map…

Places on this map (2)

24 places have no verified map location yet. Browse the page lists for more places.

Conditions

Water temp

14–23 °C

Visibility

10–30 m

Depth

5–40 m

Current

Mild

Best season

December through April

Month	Summary
Jan	Summer begins — water temperatures reach 20-22°C, visibility peaks at 20-30 m. Best conditions for all sites. Book well in advance for peak season.
Feb	Warmest month — water 21-23°C, peak visibility. Calmest seas of the year. The best month for diving at Poor Knights. Stingray schools at their peak in Southern Arch.
Mar	Summer lingers — warm water 20-22°C, excellent visibility 20-25 m. Last call for premium summer conditions before autumn. Still crowds at peak.
Apr	Autumn arrives — water cools to 18-20°C, visibility remains good 18-25 m. Fewer crowds, still excellent diving. Increasing chance of settled weather patterns.
May	Shoulder season — water 16-18°C, visibility 15-22 m. Good diving with fewer divers. Nudibranch diversity increasing as hydroids bloom. West side sites most sheltered.
Jun	Winter begins — water 15-17°C, visibility 12-18 m. Fewer crowds but bigger seas possible. Nudibranchs are out in force. 7mm wetsuit or drysuit recommended.
Jul	Coolest month — water 14-16°C with occasional plankton blooms reducing visibility. Winter diving rewards with spectacular nudibranch displays and sponge gardens at their best.
Aug	Late winter — still cool water 14-16°C but improving conditions. Early spring plankton blooms attract feeding marine life. Humpback whales migrating.
Sep	Spring begins — water warming to 15-17°C, visibility improving 12-20 m. Daylight saving starts. Humpback whale season continues. Good value window.
Oct	Spring in full swing — water 16-18°C, visibility 15-25 m. Conditions improving rapidly. Plankton blooms attract feeding fish. Good value season with fewer tourists.
Nov	Shoulder season — water 17-19°C, visibility 18-25 m. Warming water and improving conditions. Good for diving the sheltered west side sites.
Dec	Summer returns — water 19-21°C, visibility 20-30 m. Peak diving season begins. Christmas-New Year period is busiest. Book dive trips weeks in advance.