North Shore Canoe Club - Goat Island & Hauraki Gulf

Rhino Horn is a site we’ve spent a lot of time exploring, and it’s a brilliant way to get acquainted with Kaikōura’s cooler waters. Dropping down, you’re straight into a forest of giant kelp, the fronds swaying gently, creating a dappled light show. It’s not the clearest water – think an average of seven metres – but that just adds to the atmosphere. We often find ourselves peering into the shadowy gaps, spotting crayfish, or koura as they’re known here, tucked away in the rocky crevices. This place is all about the smaller, rugged inhabitants. We’ve seen more butterfly perch here than anywhere else, their colours surprisingly vivid against the greens and browns. Keep an eye out for curious blue cod, they’re not shy, and we’ve even had a few playful encounters with gurnard stirring up the sand. It’s a site for those who appreciate the subtle beauty of a temperate reef, the quiet hunt for a pipehorse, or the thrill of a passing seal darting through the kelp. It’s a site that rewards slow, deliberate diving, peering under ledges, and letting your eyes adjust to the muted light.

Location
Goat Island & Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand, Australasia
Coordinates
-36.782500, 174.760600

Marine Protected Area: Motu Manawa-Pollen 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 North Shore Canoe Club

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 North Shore Canoe Club

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