Dale Point - Fiordland

Honeycomb Caves, on Roatán’s south side, is one of those dives that starts with a bit of a grunt. The entry can be rocky, and you’ll likely feel some surge pushing you around until you clear the shallows. But push through that, because what lies beneath is genuinely special. We love the feeling of slipping into those cuts and caverns; it’s not really a deep dive, maxing out at 14m, but the way the light filters through the openings is something else. Inside, the caves are home to some surprisingly delicate life. Look closely for the smaller stuff – we’ve spotted Robertson's Blennies peeking out of crevices and even the occasional Mouse Cone working its way along the rock. The walls are encrusted with sponges and corals, a nice contrast to the more open reef. Our favourite part has to be finning slowly through the various chambers, watching for Longspine Squirrelfish tucked into the shadows. Visibility averages a comfortable 20m, which helps when you’re navigating the turns. This dive really suits those who appreciate a good macro hunt and don't mind a slightly challenging entry for the reward of exploring unique topography.

Location
Fiordland, New Zealand, Australasia
Coordinates
-44.600200, 167.818300
Type
cave

Marine Protected Area: Piopiotahi

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

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

Recommended Packing List for Dale Point

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