BIG BAY
Protected Area
Whanganui A Hei
Why dive here
With 72+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue sharks, dolphins, hammerhead sharks, humpback whales and seahorses - BIG BAY offers some of Goat Island & Hauraki Gulf's richest reef diving. Water ranges 15-21°C, warmest January, February, March.
Big Bay is a surprisingly rewarding spot, often overlooked for its flashier neighbours, but we think it’s a real contender for a relaxed dive. The bay itself is exactly as advertised, big and open, with depths that slowly increase as you venture out. Our favourite line is along the western edge, where those white sand patches meet the kelp forest. That transition zone is where we’ve seen spotted robust triplefins darting in and out, and often the resident John Dory just hanging in the gloom. You’ll spend most of your time exploring the kelp, the sunlight dappling through the fronds, creating this incredible emerald light. Look closely and you might spot a Widebody Pipefish camouflaged amongst the stalks. We’ve had great luck finding red rock lobsters tucked away in crevices, their antennae waving. While the visibility averages 9m, on a calm day, it can push to 12m, making the kelp feel even more expansive. It’s an easy dive, perfect for a long exploration, whether you’re honing your buoyancy or just looking to unwind.
Typical BIG BAY Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Nearest Dive Centres to BIG BAY
Dive shops near BIG BAY
Cathedral Cove Dive Ltd
Dive Zone Whitianga
Salt Aotearoa
Reviews for BIG BAY
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for BIG BAY
BIG BAY Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for BIG BAY, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU) - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (-36.93, 175.86) (22km away)
October Averages
Sea Temperature
16°C
60°F · Range: 14.5–16.9°C
Current Speed
1.41 cm/s
Direction: SE (135°)
Chlorophyll-a
0.497 mg/m³
Moderate productivity
Salinity
34.91 PSU
Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU)
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