DivePlnr
    Kinloch dive site
    drift
    5-20m
    Goat Island & Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand

    Kinloch

    Best months: Jan–Apr

    Why dive here

    With 72+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue sharks, dolphins, hammerhead sharks, humpback whales and seahorses - Kinloch offers some of Goat Island & Hauraki Gulf's richest drift diving. Water ranges 15-21°C, warmest January, February, March.

    Best timeJan–Apr
    WetsuitA 5mm wetsuit
    Marine lifeBlue Sharks, Dolphins, Hammerhead Sharks, Humpback Whales and Seahorses · 72+ species recorded
    Water15-21°C · warmest January, February, March
    CharacterDrift dive · max 5-20m
    StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

    Kinloch, nestled in Lake Taupo, offers a unique opportunity for those curious about freshwater diving. It’s a good spot for training or just getting a feel for lake conditions, with a gentle slope from the beach down to about seven metres before a sharper drop. While generally cold, the water does warm up a bit in summer. Keep an eye out for trout cruising the depths and freshwater crayfish on the bottom. Visibility averages around nine metres, so it’s a site for closer observation, and we’d always suggest flying a dive float to alert boat traffic.

    Typical Kinloch Dive Profile

    5mSafety Stop0m5m max~60 min estimated bottom time

    Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.

    Safety Notes

    Drift dive - carry a surface marker buoy (SMB) and stay with your group. Brief the current direction before entry.

    Today05:3818:3012h 52m daylightGolden hour 17:55

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    Conditions

    Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Kinloch

    Kinloch Ocean Conditions

    Monthly averages for Kinloch, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU) - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (-36.93, 175.86) (22km away)

    ExcellentGreatGoodFairPoor★Best monthsThis month

    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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