15-40m
    Bay of Islands, New Zealand
    Oke Bay

    Bird Rock

    Protected Area

    Oke Bay

    Why dive here

    With 163+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue sharks, blue whales, dolphins, great white sharks and hammerhead sharks - Bird Rock offers some of Bay of Islands's richest reef diving.

    Marine lifeBlue Sharks, Blue Whales, Dolphins, Great White Sharks and Hammerhead Sharks · 163+ species recorded
    CharacterReef dive · max 15-40m
    StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

    Director's Bay is one of those spots we always point people to for an easy, rewarding shore dive. You’re kicking out over a sandy slope that slowly drops to the reef wall, which eventually meets up with the Tugboat site if you head west. That wall is where the real show starts; we’ve found some fantastic macro life tucked into the crevices there. Think tiny nine-lined gobies, often a spotfin dragonet or two, and the vibrant orange ball corallimorphs clinging to the overhangs. Keep an eye out for a hawksbill turtle cruising by – they’re fairly regular visitors here. Our favourite way to dive it is early morning. The light paints the corals beautifully, and you often have the place to yourself before the day boats arrive. The current is usually mild, making it a relaxed drift along the wall if there’s any push. It's a fantastic site for photographers focusing on small stuff, but the sheer number of creole wrasse and schoolmasters makes for a lively wider scene too. Maximum depth around 21 metres means plenty of bottom time, and the average 22-metre visibility rarely disappoints.

    Typical Bird Rock Dive Profile

    5m10m15mSafety Stop0m15m max~50 min estimated bottom time

    Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.

    Safety Notes

    Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.

    Today06:5517:5811h 4m daylightGolden hour 17:23

    Nearest Dive Centres to Bird Rock

    Dive shops near Bird Rock

    View all dive centres in Bay of Islands

    Reviews for Bird Rock

    Sign in to write a review

    Conditions

    Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Bird Rock

    Bird Rock Ocean Conditions

    Monthly averages for Bird Rock, sourced from NOAA buoy data - nearest station: Open-Meteo grid (-35.21, 174.19) (0km away)

    August Averages

    Air Temperature

    13.28°C

    56°F

    Wind Speed

    7.8 m/s

    15.2 knots

    Atmospheric Pressure

    1018.9 hPa

    Based on 5 years of monitoring data · Data sources: NOAA NDBC

    Book a dive trip in Bay of Islands

    Guided dives, courses & snorkel tours - instant booking

    Search trips

    Where to Stay near Bird Rock

    Prices from Booking.com. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

    Back to Bay of Islands