ROCKY BAY - GMI - Goat Island & Hauraki Gulf

Tahi Nui is our pick for a wreck dive in Moorea that actually feels like a wreck dive. Forget a few scattered planks; this is a proper boat, resting upright on a sandy bottom at 23 metres. We love dropping down and seeing the deck come into view, the mast still reaching for the surface, now completely encrusted in coral. The ship itself is a spectacle of growth. You’ll find peppered squirrelfish darting into shadowed nooks and schools of iridescent bicolor chromis shimmering over the railings. Look closely for dew-drop cowries clinging to the older coral growth. Our favourite part? The stern, where a stunning colony of rose-shaped corals has taken hold, a vibrant pink against the darker hull. It’s an easy dive, current-wise, but offers enough to explore that you'll want a second look. Ideal for open water divers comfortable with depth, it’s a wonderful example of how quickly nature reclaims and transforms. We often see humphead unicornfish patrolling the perimeter, and on a good day, the occasional turtle will glide by, making a pass over the deck. Visibility is usually a good 20 metres, so you get a wide view of the wreck as you descend.

Location
Goat Island & Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand, Australasia
Coordinates
-36.593000, 175.786200
Type
wreck

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 ROCKY BAY - GMI

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 ROCKY BAY - GMI

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