Rainbow Warrior
Protected Area
Totara North
Why dive here
With 163+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue sharks, blue whales, dolphins, great white sharks and hammerhead sharks - Rainbow Warrior offers some of Bay of Islands's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 16-22°C, warmest January, February, March.
The Rainbow Warrior holds a special place, not just for its history, but for the sheer volume of life it now supports. Sunk intentionally in 1987, the ex-Greenpeace flagship sits on sand at 25m, just a short boat ride from Matauri Bay. Drop down onto the wreck and you immediately notice the jewel anemones, a vibrant purple and orange carpet clinging to the metal. We’ve spent whole dives just watching the schools of two-spotted demoiselles flitting around the mast, so thick they almost obscure the sun. The visibility averages 15m, which is plenty to take in the sheer scale of the ship. We often find rig and snapper cruising the decks, and if you look closely, especially in the darker corners, you’ll spot crayfish tucked into crevices. This site really comes alive when there’s a gentle current, bringing in the plankton that attracts larger fish. It's a dive that offers a unique blend of poignant history and thriving marine ecosystems, perfect for those who appreciate both wreck penetration and abundant fish life.
Safety Notes
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
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Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Rainbow Warrior
Rainbow Warrior Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for Rainbow Warrior, 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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