HUMBUG BAY - Goat Island & Hauraki Gulf

Magic Pier really does live up to its name. We love a good muck dive, and this one, tucked away on Lombok’s north coast, delivers exactly what we look for: tiny, fascinating creatures you might swim right past anywhere else. Descending onto the silty seabed under the jetty, it feels a bit like entering a secret world, with the light filtering down through the pier pilings creating these moody shadows. The average visibility of 9m means you need to slow down, but that’s the whole point here. Our favourite finds are always the ornate ghost pipefish, sometimes swaying gently amongst the seagrass, other times clinging to a piece of debris like it’s just part of the furniture. We’ve also had incredible luck spotting frogfish – not just one, but several, in colours from bright yellow to mottled brown, often just sitting there, completely unfazed. Keep an eye out for blue-spotted stingrays tucked into the sand too; they’re surprisingly common. This site is perfect for photographers or anyone who enjoys a patient hunt for the unusual, rather than big pelagics.

Location
Goat Island & Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand, Australasia
Coordinates
-36.741000, 175.821100
Type
muck

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 HUMBUG BAY

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 HUMBUG BAY

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