Boulder Garden - Bay of Islands

Eel Valley is one of our favourite spots in southeast Curaçao, especially for a relaxed afternoon boat dive. Don’t let the name fool you, you’re not really here for the eels anymore – think of it as a historical nod. Instead, we love dropping onto the sandy bottom at around 12 metres, often finding the sand rays lazily sifting for snacks. From there, it’s a gentle swim towards the wall, a lovely coral slope that bottoms out around 20 metres. The real draw here is the sheer density of the smaller reef fish. We’ve seen entire schools of Glassy Sweepers shimmering like liquid silver in the overhangs, and the wall itself is alive with Yellowhead Wrasses, Parrotfish, and plenty of Coney. Keep an eye out for the tiny Four-fin Blennies perched on coral heads and the bright pop of Candy Basslets hiding in crevices. Visibility averages a solid 20-25 metres, making for some great wide-angle photo opportunities of the reef structure. It’s a perfect site for newer divers or those who just want to drift along and observe the details, with current usually being minimal. You might even spot a rogue golf ball or two from the nearby course, an amusing souvenir of the surface world.

Location
Bay of Islands, New Zealand, Australasia
Coordinates
-35.164800, 174.341300
Type
reef

Marine Protected Area: Oke Bay

Nearby Dive Sites in Bay of Islands

Nearest Dive Centres to Boulder Garden

Marine Life in Bay of Islands

Home to 172 recorded species including 100 reef fish, 22 sharks & rays, 11 whales & dolphins, 10 other, 6 crabs & lobsters, 4 seagrass & algae.

Notable Species

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the typical depth range for diving at Boulder City in the Similan Islands?
Information regarding Boulder City in the Similan Islands is not available in our current data. However, for Boulder Garden in the Bay of Islands, New Zealand, the site slopes from the surface to depths of more than 50m. The typical maximum recreational diving depth at Boulder Garden is 16m.
What kind of marine life and coral formations can divers expect to see at the Boulder City dive site?
We do not have specific details for Boulder City in the Similan Islands. At Boulder Garden in New Zealand, divers can expect to see a slope covered in boulders featuring many colourful sponges and other invertebrates. Notable species include Lord Howe Coral Fish, Nudibranchs, and Scorpionfish, with the occasional shark sighting.
How difficult is the Boulder City dive site, especially concerning currents and overall conditions?
We lack data for Boulder City in the Similan Islands. For Boulder Garden in the Bay of Islands, the dive site is generally rated as intermediate in difficulty. However, its characteristics make it a great dive site for advanced to technical divers, suggesting conditions that may require more experience.
What is the best time of year to dive Boulder City for optimal visibility and marine encounters like whale sharks or manta rays?
Information regarding the best time to dive Boulder City in the Similan Islands, or for encountering specific pelagic species like whale sharks or manta rays, is not available in our current dataset. Our data for Boulder Garden in New Zealand does not specify seasonal optimal visibility or marine encounters. For general guidance, you can explore our When to Dive section.
Are there any specific scuba diving certifications recommended or required to dive at Boulder City in the Similan Islands?
We do not have certification requirements or recommendations for Boulder City in the Similan Islands. For Boulder Garden in the Bay of Islands, New Zealand, it is considered an intermediate dive site, and is particularly well-suited for advanced to technical divers due to its characteristics.
What are the usual current conditions and visibility at the Boulder City dive site?
Specific current conditions for Boulder City in the Similan Islands are not available in our data. For Boulder Garden in New Zealand, the average visibility is 20m. Current conditions are not explicitly detailed in the provided information for this site.