Tawharanui - Goat Island & Hauraki Gulf

Whangamumu Reef is one of those spots in the Bay of Islands that feels a bit like a secret. It’s not about dramatic drop-offs, but more about the sheer number of fish swirling around you. We love the feeling of being completely enveloped by schools of demoiselles and maomao; sometimes they’re so thick the light gets dappled. The top of the reef sits at about 10 meters, and it’s a lively place, gently sloping to 14 meters before hitting kelp-covered boulders. Keep an eye out for snapper patrolling through the kelp, and we’ve often spotted eastern king wrasse darting between crevices. Our favourite thing about Whangamumu is poking around the small caves in the shallows; they’re often home to red and packhorse crayfish, sometimes a moray eel peering out. Visibility here hovers around 7 meters, so it’s not about seeing huge distances, but rather the close-up, busy action right in front of you. This is a great dive for anyone who enjoys a relaxed pace and wants to feel truly immersed in a shoal of fish.

Location
Goat Island & Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand, Australasia
Coordinates
-36.364500, 174.836400
Type
reef

Marine Protected Area: Tawharanui

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 Tawharanui

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 Tawharanui

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