Goat Island & Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand
    Long Bay-Okura

    Sylvan Park

    Best months: Jan–Apr

    Protected Area

    Long Bay-Okura

    Why dive here

    With 72+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue sharks, dolphins, hammerhead sharks, humpback whales and seahorses - Sylvan Park offers some of Goat Island & Hauraki Gulf's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 15-21°C, warmest January, February, March.

    Best timeJan–Apr
    WetsuitA 5mm wetsuit
    Marine lifeBlue Sharks, Dolphins, Hammerhead Sharks, Humpback Whales and Seahorses · 72+ species recorded
    Water15-21°C · warmest January, February, March
    CharacterWreck dive
    StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

    Sylvan Park, in the freshwater depths of Lake Pupuke, is a different kind of dive. Forget your usual reef expectations here. What we love about Sylvan Park is its sheer calm, a welcome change from the coastal churn. You’ll walk down a boat ramp from the car park, which makes for an easy entry, something we always appreciate. The real draw, for us, is the extensive seagrass meadow, a constant green carpet that stretches from the shore out to about ten meters. This seagrass isn't just decoration; it's a living, breathing habitat. We spend our time here really slowing down, looking for the tiny things. Think little post horn squids darting through the blades, or the subtle shimmer of a big-belly seahorse camouflaged perfectly. Keep an eye out for curious cowfish peeking from the fronds. Visibility usually sits around three meters, which means it’s a site for close inspection, not wide panoramas. It's a fantastic spot for photographers focusing on macro life, or anyone just wanting a peaceful, undemanding dive in an unusual setting.

    Safety Notes

    Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.

    Today05:4418:3312h 49m daylightGolden hour 17:59

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    Conditions

    Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Sylvan Park

    Sylvan Park Ocean Conditions

    Monthly averages for Sylvan Park, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU) - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (-36.93, 175.86) (22km away)

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    October Averages

    Sea Temperature

    16°C

    60°F · Range: 14.5–16.9°C

    Current Speed

    1.41 cm/s

    Direction: SE (135°)

    Chlorophyll-a

    0.497 mg/m³

    Moderate productivity

    Salinity

    34.91 PSU

    Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU)

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