Diving in Kaikōura

Best Time to Dive in Kaikōura

The warmest water temperatures in Kaikōura occur in February, averaging 18.4°C. The coolest conditions are in September at 13.3°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

• January: 18.1°C
• February: 18.4°C
• March: 18.1°C
• April: 17.0°C
• May: 15.8°C
• June: 14.6°C
• July: 13.9°C
• August: 13.5°C
• September: 13.3°C
• October: 13.7°C
• November: 15.1°C
• December: 16.9°C

Marine Life in Kaikōura

Home to 37 recorded species including 16 reef fish, 8 sharks & rays, 4 other, 2 sea urchins, 2 hard corals, 2 whales & dolphins.

Recommended Packing List for Kaikōura

Based on average water temperature of 15.7°C, currents 18 cm/s.

• Wetsuit (5-7mm) - recommended for 16°C water
• Hood & Gloves (3-5mm) - helps retain warmth
• 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

Marine Protected Areas in Kaikōura

• Farewell Spit - Nature Reserve (IUCN Category Ia)
• Kapiti - Marine Reserve (IUCN Category Ia)
• Farewell Spit - Wetland of International Importance (Ramsar Site) (IUCN Category Ia)
• Tonga Island - Marine Reserve (IUCN Category Ia)
• Westhaven (Te Tai Tapu) - Marine Reserve (IUCN Category Ia)
• Makaro - Scientific Reserve (IUCN Category Ia)
• Ocean Beach - Stewardship Area (IUCN Category III)
• Chancet Rock - Scientific Reserve (IUCN Category Ia)
• Brothers Islands (South Group) - Nature Reserve (IUCN Category Ia)
• Motunau Island - Nature Reserve (IUCN Category Ia)
• Rileys Lookout - Nature Reserve (IUCN Category Ia)
• Titi Island - Nature Reserve (IUCN Category Ia)
• Duffers Reef - Wildlife Sanctuary (IUCN Category IV)
• Sentinel Rock - Wildlife Sanctuary (IUCN Category IV)
• White Rocks - Wildlife Sanctuary (IUCN Category IV)
• Kaikoura Wildlife Refuge - Wildlife Refuge (IUCN Category IV)
• Bird Island - Scenic Reserve (IUCN Category III)
• Hamilton Island - Scenic Reserve (IUCN Category III)
• Moioio Island - Scenic Reserve (IUCN Category III)
• Motuanauru - Scenic Reserve (IUCN Category III)
• Boulder Bank - Scenic Reserve (IUCN Category III)
• Otuhaereroa Island - Scenic Reserve (IUCN Category III)
• Te Mahia - Scenic Reserve (IUCN Category III)
• Westhaven (Whanganui Inlet) - Wildlife Management Area (IUCN Category IV)
• Raukawa Rock - Stewardship Area (IUCN Category III)
• Tory Channel Rocks - Stewardship Area (IUCN Category III)
• Amerikiwhati Island - Stewardship Area (IUCN Category III)
• Motungara Island - Stewardship Area (IUCN Category III)
• Kokomohua Islands - Stewardship Area (IUCN Category III)
• Pacific Ocean Foreshore Gum Tree Gully - Stewardship Area (IUCN Category III)
• The Twins - Stewardship Area (IUCN Category III)
• Long Island - Kokomohua - Marine Reserve (IUCN Category Ia)
• Horoirangi - Marine Reserve (IUCN Category Ia)
• Pukerau Point - Stewardship Area (IUCN Category III)
• Te Kopi - Scenic Reserve (IUCN Category III)
• Trio Islands - Wildlife Sanctuary (IUCN Category IV)
• The Brothers Islands - Wildlife Sanctuary (IUCN Category IV)
• Armers Beach - Stewardship Area (IUCN Category III)
• Westhaven - Scenic Reserve (IUCN Category III)
• Abel Tasman - Scenic Reserve (IUCN Category III)
• Awatere River mouth - Stewardship Area (IUCN Category III)
• Taputeranga - Marine Reserve (IUCN Category Ia)
• Kahurangi - Marine Reserve (IUCN Category Ia)
• Hikurangi - Marine Reserve (IUCN Category Ia)
• Coombe Rocks - Conservation Covenant (IUCN Category IV)
• Anatoia Islands - Conservation Covenant (IUCN Category IV)
• Pah Point (Whanganui Inlet) - Scenic Reserve (IUCN Category III)

Getting to Kaikōura - Nearest Airports

• Woodbourne Airport (BHE), Blenheim - 52 km away, approx 72 min travel time
• Wellington International Airport (WLG), Wellington - 104 km away, approx 128 min travel time
• Christchurch International Airport (CHC), Christchurch - 202 km away, approx 235 min travel time