Goat Island & Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand
    Whanganui A Hei

    Champagne Rock

    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 - Champagne Rock 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
    StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

    Champagne Rock, just outside Goat Island, is one of those spots we always point to for a relaxed dive that still delivers some magic. It's not about big depths here, topping out around 11 metres, but it's about the textures and the little guys. We love dropping in on the northern side, where the reef gives way to a big, open sandy area around 10 metres. As you drift alongside the rock itself, you’re on a proper wall, laced with those long cracks and ledges we’re always looking for. This is where the real fun starts. Keep an eye out for baby crayfish tucked deep inside, and we've spotted some surprisingly hefty octopus wedged into crevices. The kelp is thick, swaying gently, and creates all sorts of shadows for those dory and pigfish to dart through. Our favourite is watching the various triplefins, particularly the Yellow-and-black and the Oblique-swimming, flitting around the rock face. Visibility averages 8 metres, which is often enough to appreciate the intricate details without feeling overwhelmed. It’s an ideal spot for macro fans and newer divers who want to take their time and explore.

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    Conditions

    Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Champagne Rock

    Champagne Rock Ocean Conditions

    Monthly averages for Champagne Rock, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU) - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (-36.93, 175.86) (22km away)

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    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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