Seafire wreck - Goat Island & Hauraki Gulf
The Seafire wreck in the Hauraki Gulf is one of those dives that feels a bit like stepping back in time. We're talking about a World War II fighter plane, and while she's certainly showing her age, the recognisable shape of the fuselage and wings is still there. Expect to see sponges and anemones making a home on the remaining metal, with snapper and demoiselles darting amongst the debris. It’s a relatively shallow dive, making it a good option for those newer to wreck diving, or anyone looking for a relaxed exploration rather than a deep penetration. Just keep an eye out for currents, they can pick up sometimes.
- Location
- Goat Island & Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand, Australasia
- Coordinates
- -37.861168, 176.965800
- Type
- wreck
Marine Protected Area: Old Town of Ohiwa
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
- 4 mile reef (reef)
- 4 mile reef (reef)
- Acacia Bay (reef)
- Acacia Bay (reef)
- Aldermens- Bishops Hat (cave)
- Aldermens- Bishops Hat (reef)
- Aldermens- Fish Factory (wall)
- Aldermens- Fish Factory (pinnacle)
- Aldermens- HoneyComb (cave)
- Aldermens- HoneyComb (reef)
- Aldermens-Middle Middle (reef)
- Aldermens-Middle Middle (wreck)
- Aldermens- Mooring Bay (wall)
- Aldermens- Mooring Bay (reef)
- Anemone Boulders (reef)
Nearest Dive Centres to Seafire wreck
- Cathedral Cove Dive Ltd - ["PADI"]
- Dive Doctor
- Dive HQ Auckland - ["PADI"]
- Dive Tatapouri
- Dive Zone Tauranga - ["PADI"]
- Dive Zone Whitianga - ["PADI"]
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
- Snapper (Pagrus auratus) - Reef Fish
- Short-beaked Common Dolphin (Delphinus delphis) - Whales & Dolphins
- European fan-worm (Sabella spallanzanii) - Worms
- Asian paddle crab (Charybdis (Charybdis) japonica) - Crabs & Lobsters
- Red Rock Lobster (Jasus edwardsii) - Crabs & Lobsters
- Smooth hammerhead (Sphyrna zygaena) - Sharks & Rays
- Bluefin Gurnard (Chelidonichthys kumu) - Reef Fish
- Bronze whaler (Carcharhinus brachyurus) - Sharks & Rays
- dory (Zeus faber) - Reef Fish
- California Yellowtail (Seriola lalandi) - Reef Fish
- Blue mackerel (Scomber australasicus) - Reef Fish
- Cowfish (Tursiops truncatus) - Whales & Dolphins
- Ranger (Pseudocaranx dentex) - Reef Fish
- Pacific sardine (Sardinops sagax) - Reef Fish
- Rig (Mustelus lenticulatus) - Sharks & Rays
- Dab (Rhombosolea plebeia) - Reef Fish
- Spotted Stargazer (Genyagnus monopterygius) - Reef Fish
- Carpet sea squirt (Didemnum vexillum)
- Southern Eagle Ray (Myliobatis tenuicaudatus) - Sharks & Rays
- Bryde's whale (Balaenoptera brydei) - Whales & Dolphins
Recommended Packing List for Seafire wreck
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