Fox Cove - Fiordland

Labyrinth is a standout for us in the Somosomo Strait, and definitely one we bring up first when someone asks about Taveuni. It’s essentially a long, twisting wall that starts shallow, around 5 metres, and drops to a max of 17 metres for the recreational diver. We think it’s best dived on the incoming tide. That’s when you get the best flow, not too ripping, just enough to bring the plankton, which brings in the fish. The top of the ridge is incredible, a dense garden of hard corals. We're talking thick patches of Galaxea, Pavona, and those classic branching staghorns – it’s just a riot of texture and subtle colour up there. Descending, the wall itself offers overhangs and small caverns, perfect for poking around to find a Wasp Pygmy Goby nestled in a cranny, or a Palebarred Reefgoby darting across the coral. We love keeping an eye out for the schooling barracuda that sometimes cruise the deeper sections. If you look up and out into the blue, you might catch an eagle ray gliding past. This site is fantastic for divers who appreciate intricate hard coral ecosystems and don’t need roaring current to feel thrilled. It also doubles as an exceptional snorkel, so if you’ve got non-diving partners, they won’t feel left out.

Location
Fiordland, New Zealand, Australasia
Coordinates
-44.575800, 167.781300
Type
reef

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 Fox Cove

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