RED MERCS - Goat Island & Hauraki Gulf

Stingray Point isn't about dramatic drop-offs; it’s about the hunt. You start across a wide sandy channel, feeling the gentle push and pull of the surge, eyes peeled for what’s resting on the bottom. We’ve spotted southern stingrays here, sometimes half-buried, sometimes gliding along with that effortless flap of theirs. Our favorite part is the crack in the rock, about 100 meters long and wide enough to swim comfortably through. It’s usually packed with schoolmaster snapper, their silver scales catching the light as they shimmer in unison. Keep an eye out for spotted eagle rays cruising the channel, especially if you get there early. We’ve even heard whispers of mantas, though we haven't been lucky enough to see one ourselves yet. This site is a solid pick for divers who enjoy a relaxed pace, those who prefer observing the smaller details and the thrill of spotting elusive creatures in the sand. It’s a rewarding dive for patient divers, offering a different flavour than the usual reef dives.

Location
Goat Island & Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand, Australasia
Coordinates
-36.623500, 175.935000
Type
wall

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 RED MERCS

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 RED MERCS

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 depths for diving at Red Mercs and its surrounding dive sites?
Red Mercs offers dives with a maximum depth of 18m. The dives can get deep quickly, especially around the deep pins surrounding Goat Island. This site is suitable for a range of depths up to its maximum, providing an average visibility of 13m.
What kind of marine life and underwater features can divers expect to see at Red Mercs?
Divers at Red Mercs can expect to encounter a huge variety of fish life, along with migrating humpback whales and dolphins. The underwater features include a wall type dive, boulder formations, and kelpie reefs breaking up the landscape close to Goat Island.
How challenging are the dives at Red Mercs, and what skill level is recommended?
Dives at Red Mercs are rated as intermediate difficulty. This is due to the potential for dives to get deep quickly, exposure to conditions on the outer edge, and strong currents around the deep pins. Divers should be comfortable with these conditions.
When is the best time of year to dive Red Mercs for optimal conditions and marine encounters?
The data indicates that humpback whales and dolphins migrate around Goat Island frequently, offering exciting marine encounters. However, specific seasonal recommendations for optimal conditions are not provided in the current data. Divers should always be wary of changing conditions at Red Mercs, and can consult DivePlnr's When to Dive guide for general advice.
What scuba diving certifications are required or highly recommended for diving at Red Mercs?
Given the intermediate difficulty rating for Red Mercs, divers should possess a certification level that allows them to safely manage potential deep dives and currents. While no specific certification is explicitly required in the data, an Advanced Open Water Diver certification or equivalent is highly recommended to handle the varying conditions and depths up to 18m.
What are the typical current and weather conditions divers might encounter at Red Mercs?
Divers at Red Mercs should expect exposure to conditions, as the site is on the outer edge of Goat Island. The deep pins surrounding the island can sit in a lot of current, making strong currents a typical encounter. It is crucial to be wary of rapidly changing conditions.