Goat Island & Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand
    Rabbit Island

    Little Ohinau

    Best months: Jan–Apr

    Protected Area

    Rabbit Island

    Why dive here

    With 72+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue sharks, dolphins, hammerhead sharks, humpback whales and seahorses - Little Ohinau offers some of Goat Island & Hauraki Gulf's richest 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
    StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

    Little Ohinau, especially around Turtle Cove, really shines if you catch it right. We're talking about a steep reef here, dropping to around 15 metres, with this fantastic weed edge that just teems with activity. The currents can get quite strong on the edges, so it’s definitely one for the more experienced among us. The highlight for us is often the smaller stuff nestled in the reef – the Blue Dot Triplefins are everywhere, flashing those iridescent spots. And while you’re scanning for them, keep an eye out for the Australian Spiny Pipehorse, they blend in incredibly well. We’ve found that the early morning often brings the best visibility, before any boat traffic stirs things up. If you’re lucky, you might even spot a Red Rock Lobster tucked into a crevice, their antennae waving. It’s a site that rewards slow exploration and a keen eye.

    Today05:4018:2912h 49m daylightGolden hour 17:54

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    Conditions

    Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Little Ohinau

    Little Ohinau Ocean Conditions

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

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    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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