Blue Maomao Arch (Bay of Islands)
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 - Blue Maomao Arch (Bay of Islands) offers some of Bay of Islands's richest reef diving. Water ranges 16-22°C, warmest January, February, March.
The Blue Maomao Arch, tucked into a sheltered bay, might sound like a simple dive, but we think it’s a real cracker. Drop in, and you’re immediately enveloped by the site’s namesake, those electric blue maomao. They hang in the archway, a shimmering curtain you can swim right through. It’s shallow, maybe five metres, but don’t just pop through and leave. We love lingering here, letting the light play off their scales. Follow the contour out, and you hit boulders and a mix of kelp and kina barrens. The maximum depth is 17 metres, which means plenty of bottom time to poke around. We've often found snapper hiding in the nooks, and we keep an eye out for stingrays gliding over the sand. Visibility averages around 16 metres, giving you a good view of the rocky reef and its inhabitants. This spot is perfect for photographers, or anyone who enjoys a relaxed, fish-filled exploration without too much depth.
Typical Blue Maomao Arch (Bay of Islands) Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
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Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Blue Maomao Arch (Bay of Islands)
Blue Maomao Arch (Bay of Islands) Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for Blue Maomao Arch (Bay of Islands), sourced from Open-Meteo marine data - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (-35.24, 174.22) (2km away)
October Averages
Sea Temperature
16°C
61°F · Range: 14.9–16.8°C
Air Temperature
16°C
60°F
Wind Speed
7.43 m/s
14.4 knots
Atmospheric Pressure
1019.1 hPa
Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data
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