Cray’s Crack
Protected Area
Piopiotahi
Why dive here
With 46+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue sharks, great white sharks, seahorses and southern right whales - Cray’s Crack offers some of Fiordland's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 10-16°C, warmest January, February, March.
Steaming into Neiafu Harbour, you’d never guess the Clan McWilliam lies just off Koko Bay. She's a fantastic wreck, sunk on Christmas Day 1927, and what a history she has. At 127 metres long, this steel copra freighter still feels massive even at a max depth of 28 metres. We love dropping onto the stern, swimming past the enormous rudder, and then heading towards the bow. The cargo holds are open, so you can poke your head in and imagine her laden with copra, while schools of fusiliers now mill about where the cargo once sat. Visibility averages about 12 metres, which honestly, just adds to the atmosphere, giving the wreck a proper sense of scale and age. Look closely for the smaller stuff – we’ve found ghost pipefish tucked into the coral, and the anemones are often home to glass shrimps. The sheer volume of fish is impressive, with barracuda patrolling the mast and batfish gliding over the decks. Our favourite part has to be the night dive; the fluorescent corals glow under a torch, and you’ll spot sleeping parrotfish or hunting morays. The Clan McWilliam isn't a high-adrenaline drift, but a leisurely, explorative dive that rewards patience and a keen eye. She’s perfect for anyone wanting a relaxed, historically rich wreck experience.
Safety Notes
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
Cold water this month (avg 10°C). Drysuit or thick wetsuit (7mm+) recommended.
Reviews for Cray’s Crack
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Cray’s Crack
Cray’s Crack Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for Cray’s Crack, sourced from Copernicus Marine satellite data
August Averages
Sea Temperature
9.59°C
49°F
Current Speed
11.4 cm/s
Direction: NE (37.9°)
Chlorophyll-a
0.191 mg/m³
Clear water
Salinity
34.63 PSU
Data sources: Copernicus Marine Service (EU)
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