Aramoana Mole - Fiordland
Chub Hole is pure Grand Cayman magic, an absolute standout for us. You drop onto a mini-wall that’s less a wall and more an architectural marvel, carved with tunnels and archways. We love drifting through them, feeling that slight temperature drop as you enter, then emerging to a burst of sunlight. It’s like a secret passage tour. North of the wall, the reef opens up, towering coral fingers reaching towards the surface. Keep an eye out for the Bermuda Chubb, of course, they hang out in the canyons, often with sleepy Tarpon. Visibility here is usually fantastic, often pushing 25 meters, so you can really appreciate the sheer scale of the coral formations. Look for juvenile fish clouds shimmering above the coral, a real visual feast. It's a relaxed dive, perfect for photographers wanting to explore nooks and crannies without deep deco concerns, and we'd say it’s best enjoyed mid-morning before any crowds arrive.
- Location
- Fiordland, New Zealand, Australasia
- Coordinates
- -45.773700, 170.715500
- Type
- reef
Marine Protected Area: Heyward Point
Best Time to Dive in Fiordland
The warmest water temperatures in Fiordland occur in February, averaging 15.7°C. The coolest conditions are in August at 9.6°C.
Monthly Water Temperatures
- January: 15.6°C
- February: 15.7°C
- March: 15.1°C
- April: 13.8°C
- May: 12.4°C
- June: 10.8°C
- July: 9.8°C
- August: 9.6°C
- September: 10.4°C
- October: 11.2°C
- November: 13.3°C
- December: 14.2°C
Nearby Dive Sites in Fiordland
- Aramoana Mole
- Bridal Veil (reef)
- Bridal Veil
- Butterfly Wall - 15-40m (wall)
- Butterfly Wall (reef)
- Cray’s Crack (wreck)
- Dale Green (reef)
- Dale Point (cave)
- Dive Otago
- Fox Cove (reef)
- Greenstone Beach (reef)
- Greenstone Point (wall)
- Harrison Cove (reef)
- Marakura Bay (reef)
- Penguin Cove (reef)
Marine Life in Fiordland
Home to 49 recorded species including 21 reef fish, 10 sharks & rays, 9 other, 3 whales & dolphins, 3 seagrass & algae, 1 crabs & lobsters.
Notable Species
- Red Rock Lobster (Jasus edwardsii) - Crabs & Lobsters
- Sandperch (Parapercis colias) - Reef Fish
- Cape Shark (Squalus acanthias) - Sharks & Rays
- Blue Shark (Prionace glauca) - Sharks & Rays
- Rig (Galeorhinus galeus) - Sharks & Rays
- Auckland Sea Lion (Phocarctos hookeri) - Whales & Dolphins
- Ghost Shark (Callorhinchus milii)
- Lemon Sole (Pelotretis flavilatus) - Reef Fish
- blackfoot pāua (Haliotis iris) - Sea Snails & Nudibranchs
- Bluefin Gurnard (Chelidonichthys kumu) - Reef Fish
- Carpet sea squirt (Didemnum vexillum)
- Rig (Mustelus lenticulatus) - Sharks & Rays
- Dark Ghost Shark (Hydrolagus novaezealandiae)
- Soldier (Pseudolabrus miles) - Reef Fish
- Smooth Skate (Dipturus innominatus) - Sharks & Rays
- Bugler (Notopogon lilliei) - Reef Fish
- Jack Mackerel (Trachurus murphyi) - Reef Fish
- Light-bulb sea squirt (Clavelina lepadiformis)
- Banded bellowsfish (Centriscops humerosus) - Reef Fish
- Pale Ghost Shark (Hydrolagus bemisi)
Recommended Packing List for Aramoana Mole
Based on average water temperature of 12.7°C, currents 10 cm/s.
- Wetsuit (5-7mm) - recommended for 13°C water
- Hood & Gloves (3-5mm) - helps retain warmth
- Mask - essential for every dive
- Fins
- BCD - buoyancy compensator
- Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
- Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
- Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
- Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
- Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories