Island Bay
Protected Area
Taputeranga
Why dive here
With 35+ marine species recorded in the area - including humpback whales, seahorses and sperm whales - Island Bay offers some of Kaikōura's richest reef diving. Water ranges 10-17°C, warmest January, February, March.
Island Bay offers a sheltered dive, often a good option when Kaikōura's more exposed sites are rough. We've found it's a solid spot for spotting crayfish and the occasional octopus tucked into crevices. The kelp forest here is pretty extensive, providing habitat for a range of smaller fish. It's generally a calm dive, making it suitable for newer divers or those looking for an easier shore entry.
Safety Notes
Cold water this month (avg 12°C). Drysuit or thick wetsuit (7mm+) recommended.
Nearest Dive Centres to Island Bay
Dive shops near Island Bay
Island Bay Divers
Dive Wellington (padi)
Dive HQ Wellington
New Zealand Sea Adventures
Reviews for Island Bay
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Island Bay
Island Bay Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for Island Bay, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU) - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (-42.41, 173.71) (50km away)
October Averages
Sea Temperature
12°C
54°F · Range: 10.8–14.6°C
Current Speed
14.42 cm/s
Direction: SW (213.7°)
Chlorophyll-a
0.413 mg/m³
Moderate productivity
Salinity
35.08 PSU
Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU)
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