BLACK JACK REEF
Protected Area
Rabbit Island
Why dive here
With 72+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue sharks, dolphins, hammerhead sharks, humpback whales and seahorses - BLACK JACK REEF offers some of Goat Island & Hauraki Gulf's richest cave diving. Water ranges 15-21°C, warmest January, February, March.
We've always had a soft spot for Black Jack Reef, despite its reputation for being a bit… spiky. Sure, the kina have done a number on some parts of the reef, leaving behind those tell-tale barren patches, but if you look past that, there's still plenty to explore. The maximum depth of 13 meters makes it a relaxed dive, and we often find ourselves lingering, scanning the nooks and crannies. Visibility averages around 4 meters, which means you're really getting up close and personal with the details. This isn't a site for grand vistas; it's a treasure hunt for the smaller stuff. We love spotting the nudibranchs – they're everywhere if you know where to look, a real highlight here. And keep an eye out for New Zealand sole camouflaged on the sandy patches, or a Spotted Stargazer peeking out. The currents can get a bit punchy sometimes, which is exactly why the kahawai hang out here. If you're into macro life and don't mind a bit of a hunt, Black Jack Reef offers a rewarding dive, perfect for photographers or anyone who appreciates the little things.
Safety Notes
Overhead environment - never enter without proper cave/cavern training, redundant equipment, and a guideline.
Nearest Dive Centres to BLACK JACK REEF
Dive shops near BLACK JACK REEF
Salt Aotearoa
Dive Zone Whitianga
Cathedral Cove Dive Ltd
Reviews for BLACK JACK REEF
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for BLACK JACK REEF
BLACK JACK REEF Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for BLACK JACK REEF, 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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