Aldermens- Fish Factory - Goat Island & Hauraki Gulf

The Aldermens, and the Fish Factory site in particular, are a bit of a commitment to reach from Goat Island, but we think it’s absolutely worth the boat ride. Once you’re in, it’s a site that keeps your attention. You drop onto a wall that feels like it just keeps going, then a separate pinnacle rises up from the depths, forming a playground of ledges and overhangs. This is a site for divers who appreciate the subtle details and are comfortable with a bit of depth. We love drifting along the wall, keeping an eye out for the New Zealand Draughtboard Sharks tucked into crevices. The currents here can push you along nicely, but they also bring in the bigger stuff – we’ve seen Shortfin Makos here, though you have to be lucky and quick to spot them. Our favourite part is definitely the pinnacle; the pink maomao schooling there are just beautiful, and the way the light filters through them is something special. Keep an eye on your depth here, it’s easy to get distracted and go a bit deeper than planned as you explore.

Location
Goat Island & Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand, Australasia
Coordinates
-36.958400, 176.057700
Type
pinnacle

Marine Protected Area: Wharekawa Harbour Wildlife Refuge

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 Aldermens- Fish Factory

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 Aldermens- Fish Factory

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