Harrison Cove - Fiordland
Lone Star Reef is one of those spots we always try to hit when we're in Grand Cayman, especially if it's been a rainy week. At 17m max depth, it's a relaxed, easy dive, perfect for a long bottom time. What we love here are the ledges. They're draped in colourful sponges and a good mix of hard and soft corals, but it's what’s underneath that really grabs us. Peer into those shadows and you’ll often find glassy blennies, or the odd red clingfish tucked away. The real draw, though, is that freshwater exit on the south side. On a day when there's been some rain, you can feel the distinct thermocline pushing out. It’s a strange, cool rush against your skin, a reminder of the island’s geology, and it sometimes draws in interesting little critters. Keep an eye out on the surrounding sand patches for mottled flounders camouflaged flat against the bottom. This site really shines for macro enthusiasts and anyone looking for a chill dive with a unique geological twist.
- Location
- Fiordland, New Zealand, Australasia
- Coordinates
- -44.624300, 167.912400
- 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
- Aramoana Mole (reef)
- 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)
- 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 Harrison 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