Stanmore Bay Pool - Goat Island & Hauraki Gulf
Two Trees is one of those sites we always make a point of revisiting. The name comes from a pair of distinct green trees on the shore, a handy marker back in the days before reliable GPS. Drop anchor in 12-14 metres and you’re right on the reef top. We’ve seen this site bounce back beautifully after some coral bleaching. The plate corals, once amazing, are showing impressive recovery, with new growth pushing through. Keep an eye out for the smaller stuff here. The Limespot Butterflyfish are regular residents, darting between the Montipora coral, and you’ll spot plenty of parrotfish chomping away. Our favourite detail is the sheer abundance of Blue Green Chromis, schooling so thickly it feels like swimming through a living curtain. It’s a relaxed dive, perfect for photographers wanting to slow down and capture some of the quieter reef moments. This spot is great for a second dive, a nice, easy drift after a deeper morning exploration.
- Location
- Goat Island & Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand, Australasia
- Coordinates
- -36.627600, 174.740900
- Type
- reef
Marine Protected Area: Long Bay-Okura
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 Stanmore Bay Pool
- 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 Stanmore Bay Pool
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