Kapiti Island - Kaikōura
Kapiti Island, near Kaikōura, offers a distinct temperate diving experience. We find the kelp forests here are particularly lush, often sheltering good numbers of blue cod and wrasse. It’s a site that appeals to divers who appreciate cooler water diving and a chance to spot species unique to New Zealand’s coastal waters. We’d suggest this spot for experienced divers comfortable with variable conditions.
- Location
- Kaikōura, New Zealand, Australasia
- Coordinates
- -40.879776, 174.925520
Marine Protected Area: Kapiti
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
- Barrett Reef (reef)
- 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
Nearest Dive Centres to Kapiti Island
- 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 Kapiti 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