Allports Island - Kaikōura

Allports Island might only hit 19 metres, but don’t let that fool you into thinking it's just a shallow splash. We love it for its sheer accessibility, especially when the weather decides to play nice. Drop in, and you're immediately greeted by the kelp forest swaying in the gentle surge, shafts of sunlight dappling through the fronds. Look closely among the holdfasts for red rock lobsters peeking out, their antennae twitching. What really makes Allports tick, though, are those deeper tubeworm structures, almost like alien sculptures rising from the silty bottom. They create fascinating little hideaways for critters. We’ve spotted ghost sharks gliding past them, and often a curious snapper will come to check you out. Visibility averages 8 metres, which is decent for Kaikōura, but it can drop after heavy rain. Our tip: go on a calm day, ideally after a few days of settled weather, for the best light and clearest water. It’s a great spot for newer divers to gain confidence in a slightly deeper environment without strong currents, and for experienced divers, it's a relaxing dive with some genuinely interesting macro potential if you take your time.

Location
Kaikōura, New Zealand, Australasia
Coordinates
-41.236200, 174.053200

Marine Protected Area: Te Mahia

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

Nearby Dive Sites in Kaikōura

Nearest Dive Centres to Allports Island

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.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Allports Island

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