Elephant Point - Goat Island & Hauraki Gulf

Jose Pobre Caverns is a weird and wonderful dive, definitely our favourite if you’re looking for something a bit different in Bocas. It’s not about huge pelagics or endless reef walls here. Instead, you're exploring a labyrinth of shallow channels and caverns that snake through the coral. We love the feeling of swimming through these narrow cuts, especially when a school of grunts suddenly swirls out of a shadowy opening. The real magic happens when you break out into the small, sun-dappled pools inside the reef. The light filters down in shafts, illuminating little pockets where you’ll often find Caribbean hermit crabs scuttling over the sand or a sleepy spotted soapfish tucked into a crevice. Keep an eye out for the unusual stuff, too – we’ve spotted opossum pipefish blending perfectly with the sponges and plenty of those pretty Robert’s cowries clinging to the walls. It’s a dive that rewards slow, deliberate exploration. Best done mid-morning when the sun is high enough to really make those internal pools glow. This spot is ideal for divers who enjoy intricate topography and finding the small, unusual critters rather than big fish.

Location
Goat Island & Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand, Australasia
Coordinates
-36.370800, 174.867400
Type
cave

Marine Protected Area: Tawharanui

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

Nearby Dive Sites in Goat Island & Hauraki Gulf

Nearest Dive Centres to Elephant Point

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 Species

Recommended Packing List for Elephant Point

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