Aldermens- Mooring Bay - Goat Island & Hauraki Gulf

Mooring Bay at the Aldermen is a really interesting contrast to the deeper outer sites. We love it for its sheer accessibility, especially when the weather kicks up elsewhere. It’s a calmer spot, mostly sandy, but don't let that fool you into thinking there's nothing here. We often find the sand flats hold some real treats – spotted stargazers buried with just their eyes peeking out, or a smooth skate gliding past like a shadow. The max depth of 17m makes it very relaxed, ideal for longer bottom times. We've seen fat red rock lobsters tucked into little ledges and schools of demoiselles flickering over the slight rises. Keep an eye out for the triplefins, especially the blue-eyed ones, darting between the smaller rocks. It's a fantastic place to just bimble around, practicing buoyancy, and really observing the smaller, often overlooked critters. Visibility averages a comfortable 15m, and being sheltered, it's a solid choice when you want a relaxed dive without battling much current.

Location
Goat Island & Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand, Australasia
Coordinates
-36.960400, 176.077700
Type
reef

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- Mooring 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 Aldermens- Mooring 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