Acacia Bay - Goat Island & Hauraki Gulf

Acacia Bay, tucked away in the Hauraki Gulf, makes for a straightforward dive, especially if you’re looking to get some practice in. We’ve found it’s a solid spot for honing buoyancy, given the silty patches if you stir things up. The underwater landscape is mostly rock wall, with a circular rock structure that divers built, which is a nice reference point when you’re navigating. Keep an eye out for freshwater crayfish nestled in the cracks, and you might even spot a rainbow or brown trout cruising by. It’s a good choice for newer divers or those simply wanting a relaxed dip to about 15 metres.

Location
Goat Island & Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand, Australasia
Coordinates
-38.709000, 176.027400
Type
reef

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

Nearby Dive Sites in Goat Island & Hauraki Gulf

Nearest Dive Centres to Acacia Bay

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.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Acacia Bay

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