Lochmara - Kaikōura
Otama Reef, just a stone's throw from Leigh, is our go-to when we want something easy and reliably fun. It’s a proper gentle intro, the sort of place you bring a new diver or just cruise for an hour. You wade in off a bright white sandy beach, no boat needed, and that sand stretches out into about 8 metres of water. We love heading left, where the small, broken reef patches gradually merge into bigger, kelpier structures the further you swim. What makes Otama special is how comfortable the fish are. The snapper here are bold, swimming right up to your mask. We've often had leatherjackets nibble our fins. Keep an eye out for a little snapper we call "Crooked Jaw" – he’s easy to spot and always seems to be around. Visibility averages 8 metres, sometimes more, sometimes less, but always enough to appreciate the kelp swaying and the little patches of reef. This site is perfect for photographers who want to get up close with friendly fish, or anyone who enjoys a relaxed dive without the fuss.
- Location
- Kaikōura, New Zealand, Australasia
- Coordinates
- -41.228900, 173.996200
- Type
- reef
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
- 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 Lochmara
- 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 Lochmara
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