West Point - Goat Island & Hauraki Gulf
Anglers Reef in North Carolina is a solid choice for a dive when the conditions are right. We’ve found the reef structure here creates plenty of nooks for typical Atlantic species, like smaller schooling fish and sometimes a lobster or two tucked away. It’s a pretty straightforward dive, good for newer divers getting comfortable with reef environments, especially when the current isn’t too strong. Visibility can be hit or miss, so check local reports before heading out.
- Location
- Goat Island & Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand, Australasia
- Coordinates
- -36.438500, 175.759400
- Type
- reef
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
- 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 West Point
- 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 West Point
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