Barrett Reef - Kaikōura
Eastern Sambo often gets overshadowed by its more famous neighbours, but we think that’s a real shame. We love this site for its genuine sense of discovery. Drop down and you’re greeted by scattered coral heads, not a wall, but a series of distinct formations. Look closely and you’ll find plenty of shy hamlets tucked into crevices, their iridescent scales shimmering. Our favourite part is the sandy patches between the coral, where broad shad often hang out in shimmering schools. You’ll spot green turtles gracefully cruising by, almost always. We’ve had some fantastic encounters here. It’s a site that rewards a slow, deliberate dive, giving you time to appreciate the smaller things – a belted cardinalfish darting into a maze coral, or the delicate tentacles of a spiny brittle star waving from a crevice. It’s perfect for divers who appreciate a more relaxed pace and a chance to truly observe marine behaviour, rather than just tick off big species.
- Location
- Kaikōura, New Zealand, Australasia
- Coordinates
- -41.343143, 174.835630
- Type
- reef
Marine Protected Area: Taputeranga
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
- Allports Island (cenote)
- Allports Island
- Barney’s Rock (reef)
- Barney’s Rock
- Barneys Rock
- Baxter’s Reef - 5-15m (reef)
- Baxter’s Reef (reef)
- Blue Cod Point (wreck)
- Blue Cod Point (wall)
- Bushett Shoals
- Double Cove Marine Reserve (reef)
- F69 (wreck)
- Flea Bay (reef)
- Go Dive Pacific
- Haylee’s hideout (reef)
Nearest Dive Centres to Barrett Reef
- Abyss Dive - ["PADI"]
- Big Blue Dive & Fish
- Blenheim Dive Centre - ["PADI"]
- Daves’ Diving Kaikoura
- Dive HQ Wellington - ["PADI"]
- Dive Kaikoura
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
- Red Rock Lobster (Jasus edwardsii) - Crabs & Lobsters
- Sandperch (Parapercis colias) - Reef Fish
- Snapper (Pagrus auratus) - Reef Fish
- Cape Shark (Squalus acanthias) - Sharks & Rays
- Rig (Galeorhinus galeus) - Sharks & Rays
- dory (Zeus faber) - Reef Fish
- Bluefin Gurnard (Chelidonichthys kumu) - Reef Fish
- Light-bulb sea squirt (Clavelina lepadiformis)
- Ribbonfish (Lepidopus caudatus) - Reef Fish
- Sea potato (Echinocardium cordatum) - Sea Urchins
- Sweet William (Mustelus antarcticus) - Sharks & Rays
- Carpet sea squirt (Didemnum vexillum)
- No Common Name (Allomycterus pilatus) - Reef Fish
- Ranger (Pseudocaranx dentex) - Reef Fish
- Rig (Mustelus lenticulatus) - Sharks & Rays
- sand anemone (Oulactis muscosa) - Hard Corals
- Ghost Shark (Callorhinchus milii)
- California Yellowtail (Seriola lalandi) - Reef Fish
- Blue mackerel (Scomber australasicus) - Reef Fish
- Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus) - Whales & Dolphins
Recommended Packing List for Barrett Reef
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