Epic SCUBA - Goat Island & Hauraki Gulf
Epic SCUBA operates out of Goat Island, a marine reserve near Auckland, and also ventures into the wider Hauraki Gulf. They’re a solid choice for exploring New Zealand's temperate waters, which means kelp forests and rocky reefs rather than tropical colours. If you’re looking for macro life, playful snapper, or a chance to spot a kingfish, this is a good base. We’d suggest them for divers comfortable with cooler water and keen to experience a different kind of diving.
- Location
- Goat Island & Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand, Australasia
- Coordinates
- -36.881668, 174.900480
- Phone
- +6422527 2822
- [email protected]
- Website
- https://www.epicscuba.co.nz
- Certification Agencies
- SSI
- Courses
- SSI Dry Suit Diver Specialty Diving Course, SSI ENRICHED AIR NITROX Scuba Diver Specialty Diving Course
- Address
- Epic Scuba Ltd, Auckland, 2012, NZL
- Languages
- English
- Price Range
- mid-range
Dive Sites Near Epic SCUBA
Epic SCUBA provides access to 15 dive sites in Goat Island & Hauraki Gulf.
- 4 mile reef (reef)
- 4 mile reef (reef)
- Acacia Bay (reef)
- Acacia Bay (reef)
- Aldermens- Bishops Hat (cave)
- Aldermens- Bishops Hat (reef)
- Aldermens- Fish Factory (wall)
- Aldermens- Fish Factory (pinnacle)
- Aldermens- HoneyComb (cave)
- Aldermens- HoneyComb (reef)
- Aldermens-Middle Middle (reef)
- Aldermens-Middle Middle (wreck)
- Aldermens- Mooring Bay (wall)
- Aldermens- Mooring Bay (reef)
- Anemone Boulders (reef)
Other Dive Centres in Goat Island & Hauraki Gulf
- Cathedral Cove Dive Ltd - ["PADI"]
- Dive Doctor
- Dive HQ Auckland - ["PADI"]
- Dive Tatapouri
- Dive Zone Tauranga - ["PADI"]
- Dive Zone Whitianga - ["PADI"]
- GET WET WAIKATO
- GlobalDive
- MUSA DIVING
- Performance Diver NZ Ltd - SSI
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
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 Marine Life
- Snapper (Pagrus auratus) - Reef Fish
- Short-beaked Common Dolphin (Delphinus delphis) - Whales & Dolphins
- European fan-worm (Sabella spallanzanii) - Worms
- Asian paddle crab (Charybdis (Charybdis) japonica) - Crabs & Lobsters
- Red Rock Lobster (Jasus edwardsii) - Crabs & Lobsters
- Smooth hammerhead (Sphyrna zygaena) - Sharks & Rays
- Bluefin Gurnard (Chelidonichthys kumu) - Reef Fish
- Bronze whaler (Carcharhinus brachyurus) - Sharks & Rays
- dory (Zeus faber) - Reef Fish
- California Yellowtail (Seriola lalandi) - Reef Fish
Recommended Packing List for Goat Island & Hauraki Gulf
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