Old Wharf - Kaikōura

Roccadilly sits just a ten-minute boat ride from Boca Chica, tucked into the lagoon. It’s a comfortable dive, topping out around 21 meters, making it a good choice if you're just starting out or prefer a more relaxed pace. We often spot plenty of French grunts and angelfish, with barber and blue doctorfish darting through the coral. Keep an eye out for yellowhead jawfish peeking from their burrows. Visibility averages around 15 meters, so it’s easy to take in the large sponges that sometimes house a king crab or two.

Location
Kaikōura, New Zealand, Australasia
Coordinates
-42.417200, 173.708000
Type
reef

Marine Protected Area: Armers Beach

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 Old Wharf

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 Old Wharf

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