Dolphin Underwater Club
Protected Area
Motu Manawa-Pollen Island
Why dive here
With 72+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue sharks, dolphins, hammerhead sharks, humpback whales and seahorses - Dolphin Underwater Club offers some of Goat Island & Hauraki Gulf's richest diving. Water ranges 15-21°C, warmest January, February, March.
The Dolphin Underwater Club site, nestled within the broader Goat Island marine reserve, is one of those spots we find ourselves returning to again and again. It’s not about dramatic drop-offs or huge pelagics here, but rather an appreciation for the intricate coastal ecosystems. We love drifting over the rocky reef, keeping an eye out for the colourful Striped Triplefins darting in and out of crevices. On a good day, with a bit of swell, you can feel the surge gently moving you through the kelp forests, creating a truly immersive experience. Our favourite time to dive Dolphin Underwater Club is mid-week, early morning, before the weekend crowds arrive. The visibility tends to be at its best then, and the light filtering through the water column really makes the greens and purples of the kelp pop. Look closely for the Blue Green Chitons clinging to rocks and the delicate Eleven-armed seastars sprawled across the substrate. It’s a fantastic site for macro enthusiasts or newer divers looking to build confidence in temperate waters. Expect to spend your dive observing the smaller, often overlooked, residents of this vibrant reserve.
Nearest Dive Centres to Dolphin Underwater Club
Dive shops near Dolphin Underwater Club
Performance Diver NZ Ltd
Wettie
GlobalDive
Dive HQ Auckland
Epic SCUBA
Dive Doctor
Reviews for Dolphin Underwater Club
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Dolphin Underwater Club
Dolphin Underwater Club Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for Dolphin Underwater Club, 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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