5-25m
    Goat Island & Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand
    Whanganui A Hei

    BIG BAY

    Best months: Jan–Apr

    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.

    Best timeJan–Apr
    WetsuitA 5mm wetsuit
    Marine lifeBlue Sharks, Dolphins, Hammerhead Sharks, Humpback Whales and Seahorses · 72+ species recorded
    Water15-21°C · warmest January, February, March
    CharacterReef dive · max 5-25m
    StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

    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

    5mSafety Stop0m5m max~60 min estimated bottom time

    Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.

    Today05:4018:2912h 49m daylightGolden hour 17:55

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    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)

    ExcellentGreatGoodFairPoor★Best monthsThis month

    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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