GREEN ISLAND - Goat Island & Hauraki Gulf

Le Tombant Saint Étienne, off Moorea, is one of those walls that just keeps giving. The top of the reef starts shallow, around 5 or 6 metres, then drops straight down to 24 metres. We love how the light plays on the corals as you descend, changing the colours from bright sunlit hues to deeper, richer tones. Keep an eye out for the parrotfish picking at the reef, and we’ve often spotted Napoleon wrasses cruising by, usually a bit shy. This site is great for divers who appreciate a good wall dive, where you can drift slowly and really take in the scale. The visibility usually sits around 20 metres, so you get a good view of the drop-off into the deeper blue. It’s a pretty relaxed dive, perfect for soaking it all in.

Location
Goat Island & Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand, Australasia
Coordinates
-36.643600, 175.849000
Type
reef

Marine Protected Area: Rabbit Island

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 GREEN ISLAND

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 GREEN ISLAND

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the typical diving depths at Green Island dive sites?
Green Island offers a maximum diving depth of 13 meters. This makes it a great site for divers looking for shallower explorations at Green Island.
What kind of marine life and coral can divers expect to see when diving in Green Island?
While specific marine life is not detailed in the provided information, Green Island is characterized as a reef with boulder outcrops, cracks, crevasses, and small weed patches. These features typically provide habitat for a variety of smaller reef inhabitants. For more general information on marine life, you can visit our wildlife database.
How difficult is diving at Green Island, and are there sites suitable for beginners?
Diving at Green Island is rated as intermediate difficulty. While its maximum depth of 13m is relatively shallow, the site is known for plenty of water movement and rocks breaching the surface, which contributes to its intermediate rating. Therefore, it may not be ideal for absolute beginners.
What is the best time of year to go diving in Green Island, considering conditions and marine life?
The provided data does not specify the best time of year to dive at Green Island, nor does it detail seasonal conditions or marine life patterns. For general guidance on optimal diving seasons, you might consult our when to dive section.
What scuba diving certifications are required to dive at Green Island?
The specific scuba diving certifications required for Green Island are not explicitly stated in the provided data. However, given its intermediate difficulty rating, divers should possess at least an Open Water Diver certification and ideally have some experience with sites that feature water movement and rocky environments.
What are the typical water conditions, currents, and visibility like for diving around Green Island?
Divers at Green Island can expect an average visibility of 13 meters. The site is also characterized by "plenty of water movement," which can contribute to its intermediate difficulty rating.