Diving in Goat Island & Hauraki Gulf

Best Time to Dive in Goat Island & Hauraki Gulf

The warmest water temperatures in Goat Island & Hauraki Gulf occur in February, averaging 22.4°C. The coolest conditions are in August at 14.1°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

• January: 21.4°C
• February: 22.4°C
• March: 21.8°C
• April: 19.8°C
• May: 17.4°C
• June: 15.3°C
• July: 14.1°C
• August: 14.1°C
• September: 14.7°C
• October: 16.3°C
• November: 18.5°C
• December: 20.3°C

Marine Life in Goat Island & Hauraki Gulf

Home to 77 recorded species including 43 reef fish, 11 sharks & rays, 3 whales & dolphins, 3 crabs & lobsters, 3 other, 3 sea snails & nudibranchs.

Dive Site Difficulty in Goat Island & Hauraki Gulf

Goat Island & Hauraki Gulf has 1 beginner dive sites - suitable for divers of all levels.

Recommended Packing List for Goat Island & Hauraki Gulf

Based on average water temperature of 18.0°C, currents 2 cm/s.

• Wetsuit (3-5mm) - comfortable for 18°C water
• 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

Marine Protected Areas in Goat Island & Hauraki Gulf

• Mokohinau Islands - Nature Reserve (IUCN Category Ia)
• Cape Rodney-Okakari Point - Marine Reserve (IUCN Category Ia)
• Motu Manawa-Pollen Island - Marine Reserve (IUCN Category Ia)
• Long Bay-Okura - Marine Reserve (IUCN Category Ia)
• Bream Islands - Nature Reserve (IUCN Category Ia)
• Burgess Island - Scenic Reserve (IUCN Category III)
• Casnell Island - Scenic Reserve (IUCN Category III)
• Kohatutara - Scenic Reserve (IUCN Category III)
• Egg Island Crown Land - Stewardship Area (IUCN Category III)
• Huntress Creek - Stewardship Area (IUCN Category III)
• Kaipara - Stewardship Area (IUCN Category III)
• Mangere - Stewardship Area (IUCN Category III)
• Rabbit Island - Stewardship Area (IUCN Category III)
• Ruawai - Stewardship Area (IUCN Category III)
• South Head - Stewardship Area (IUCN Category III)
• Ti Tree Island - Stewardship Area (IUCN Category III)
• Tutukaka - Stewardship Area (IUCN Category III)
• Weymouth - Stewardship Area (IUCN Category III)
• Karewa Gannet Island - Wildlife Sanctuary (IUCN Category IV)
• Papakanui Spit Wildlife Refuge - Wildlife Refuge (IUCN Category IV)
• Whangamata Islands - Wildlife Sanctuary (IUCN Category IV)
• Whanganui A Hei - Marine Reserve (IUCN Category Ia)
• Te Matuku - Marine Reserve (IUCN Category Ia)
• Poor Knights Islands - Marine Reserve (IUCN Category Ia)
• Tuhua (Mayor Island) - Marine Reserve (IUCN Category Ia)
• Whangarei Harbour - Marine Reserve (IUCN Category Ia)
• Te Paepae o Aotea - Marine Reserve (IUCN Category Ia)
• Old Town of Ohiwa - Stewardship Area (IUCN Category III)
• Wharekawa Harbour Wildlife Refuge - Wildlife Refuge (IUCN Category IV)
• Waikato River - Stewardship Area (IUCN Category III)
• Waipu River Mouth Wildlife Refuge - Wildlife Refuge (IUCN Category IV)
• Whangarei Harbour Wildlife Refuge - Wildlife Refuge (IUCN Category IV)
• Ruakaka Wildlife Refuge - Wildlife Refuge (IUCN Category IV)
• Moturekareka Is - Scenic Reserve (IUCN Category III)
• Tawharanui - Marine Reserve (IUCN Category Ia)
• Tipare - Conservation Covenant (IUCN Category IV)
• Takangaroa Island - Wildlife Refuge (IUCN Category IV)
• 5-02-375 - Open Space Covenant (IUCN Category IV)

Getting to Goat Island & Hauraki Gulf - Nearest Airports

• Ardmore Airport (AMZ), Manurewa - 65 km away, approx 86 min travel time
• Auckland International Airport (AKL), Auckland - 82 km away, approx 105 min travel time
• Wellington International Airport (WLG), Wellington - 478 km away, approx 537 min travel time