Fairchild Reef - Goat Island & Hauraki Gulf

Keauhou Bay, right off the Sheraton, is a solid little spot for an easy beach entry, especially if you’re staying nearby. We’ve always appreciated how straightforward it is to gear up and just walk in. The reef maxes out around 17 meters, so it’s a calm, shallow dive, perfect for stretching out a long bottom time. During the day, we often see parrotfish munching away on the coral, and the occasional whitetip reef shark cruises by. Keep an eye out for eagle rays gliding past in the blue. Our favorite time to dive Keauhou, though, is after sunset. That’s when the mantas often come to feed on the plankton attracted by the resort lights. Descending into the darkness and having one of those giants gracefully circle just inches away is a moment that genuinely sticks with you. You'll want to watch for boat traffic in the middle of the bay, but closer to shore, it’s usually clear. This is a great dive for anyone looking for a relaxed outing, day or night, without the hassle of a boat trip.

Location
Goat Island & Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand, Australasia
Coordinates
-36.395600, 174.857300
Type
reef

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 Fairchild Reef

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 Fairchild Reef

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