30-35m
    Bay of Islands, New Zealand
    Oke Bay

    Waiwiri Rock

    Best months: Jan–Mar

    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 - Waiwiri Rock offers some of Bay of Islands's richest pinnacle diving. Water ranges 16-22°C, warmest January, February, March.

    Best timeJan–Mar
    WetsuitA 5mm wetsuit
    Marine lifeBlue Sharks, Blue Whales, Dolphins, Great White Sharks and Hammerhead Sharks · 163+ species recorded
    Water16-22°C · warmest January, February, March
    CharacterPinnacle dive · max 30-35m
    StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

    Waiwiri Rock is one of those places that feels like a lucky dip, even if we know what’s generally around. This isn't a deep dive, mostly hovering around the 15-20m mark, but it’s packed. The entire site is essentially a series of massive boulders and smaller rocks, which means plenty of nooks and crannies. We’ve seen enormous schools of trevally here, swirling so tightly they almost black out the sun, and the vibrant blue maomao add a constant flash of colour. It’s the sort of dive where you keep your eyes peeled for something bigger cruising by, with bronze whalers and even hammerheads making appearances, especially in summer. Our favourite time to hit Waiwiri is on an incoming tide. The visibility often bumps up a few metres, and everything seems a bit more active. You’ll find New Zealand scaly-headed triplefins perched on the rocks, and those little crimson cleaner fish are always busy. It’s a great site for divers who appreciate the thrill of the unexpected and enjoy spending time exploring rocky terrain.

    Typical Waiwiri Rock Dive Profile

    10m20m30mSafety Stop0m30m max~30 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

    Depth of 30m - Advanced Open Water certification recommended.

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

    Today05:4718:3412h 47m daylightGolden hour 18:00

    Nearest Dive Centres to Waiwiri Rock

    Dive shops near Waiwiri Rock

    View all dive centres in Bay of Islands

    Reviews for Waiwiri Rock

    Sign in to write a review

    Conditions

    Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Waiwiri Rock

    Waiwiri Rock Ocean Conditions

    Monthly averages for Waiwiri Rock, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (-35.24, 174.22) (2km away)

    ExcellentGreatGoodFairPoor★Best monthsThis month

    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

    Plan & book

    Ways to dive Bay of Islands, from day trips to liveaboards.

    Day trips & courses

    via GetYourGuide

    Guided dives, courses and snorkel trips with instant booking.

    Find dive trips in Bay of Islands

    Places to stay

    via Booking.com

    Hotels and dive resorts near Bay of Islands.

    Search stays in Bay of Islands

    Dive insurance

    Most travel insurance excludes or limits scuba. Check what you need before you go.

    Dive insurance explained

    Partner links: we may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you. How we make money

    Where to Stay near Waiwiri Rock

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

    Back to Bay of Islands