Diving in Poor Knights Islands

Best Time to Dive in Poor Knights Islands

The warmest water temperatures in Poor Knights Islands occur in February, averaging 21.9°C. The coolest conditions are in August at 15.8°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

• January: 21.4°C
• February: 21.9°C
• March: 21.7°C
• April: 20.6°C
• May: 19.1°C
• June: 17.6°C
• July: 16.5°C
• August: 15.8°C
• September: 15.9°C
• October: 16.6°C
• November: 18.2°C
• December: 19.8°C

Marine Life in Poor Knights Islands

Home to 84 recorded species including 53 reef fish, 11 sharks & rays, 4 whales & dolphins, 4 other, 3 crabs & lobsters, 2 sea urchins.

Dive Site Difficulty in Poor Knights Islands

Poor Knights Islands has 8 beginner, 1 intermediate dive sites - suitable for divers of all levels.

Recommended Packing List for Poor Knights Islands

Based on average water temperature of 18.8°C, currents 12 cm/s.

• Wetsuit (3-5mm) - comfortable for 19°C water
• 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

Marine Protected Areas in Poor Knights Islands

• Mokohinau Islands - Nature Reserve (IUCN Category Ia)
• Cape Rodney-Okakari Point - Marine Reserve (IUCN Category Ia)
• Motu Manawa-Pollen Island - Marine Reserve (IUCN Category Ia)
• Long Bay-Okura - Marine Reserve (IUCN Category Ia)
• Bream Islands - Nature Reserve (IUCN Category Ia)
• Simmonds Islands - Nature Reserve (IUCN Category Ia)
• Walker Island - Nature Reserve (IUCN Category Ia)
• Black Rocks - Scenic Reserve (IUCN Category III)
• Burgess Island - Scenic Reserve (IUCN Category III)
• Casnell Island - Scenic Reserve (IUCN Category III)
• Kohatutara - Scenic Reserve (IUCN Category III)
• Motuarahi - Scenic Reserve (IUCN Category III)
• Motupapa Island - Scenic Reserve (IUCN Category III)
• Motutapu Island - Scenic Reserve (IUCN Category III)
• Oke Bay - Scenic Reserve (IUCN Category III)
• Pitokuku - Scenic Reserve (IUCN Category III)
• Poroporo Island - Scenic Reserve (IUCN Category III)
• Tamateatai Point - Scenic Reserve (IUCN Category III)
• Taranaki Island - Scenic Reserve (IUCN Category III)
• Toretore Island - Scenic Reserve (IUCN Category III)
• Kaipara - Stewardship Area (IUCN Category III)
• Mangere - Stewardship Area (IUCN Category III)
• Motutokape Island - Stewardship Area (IUCN Category III)
• Rabbit Island - Stewardship Area (IUCN Category III)
• Ruawai - Stewardship Area (IUCN Category III)
• South Head - Stewardship Area (IUCN Category III)
• Ti Tree Island - Stewardship Area (IUCN Category III)
• Totara North - Stewardship Area (IUCN Category III)
• Tutukaka - Stewardship Area (IUCN Category III)
• Weymouth - Stewardship Area (IUCN Category III)
• Papakanui Spit Wildlife Refuge - Wildlife Refuge (IUCN Category IV)
• Whangamata Islands - Wildlife Sanctuary (IUCN Category IV)
• Whanganui A Hei - Marine Reserve (IUCN Category Ia)
• Te Matuku - Marine Reserve (IUCN Category Ia)
• Poor Knights Islands - Marine Reserve (IUCN Category Ia)
• Whangarei Harbour - Marine Reserve (IUCN Category Ia)
• Wharekawa Harbour Wildlife Refuge - Wildlife Refuge (IUCN Category IV)
• Waikato River - Stewardship Area (IUCN Category III)
• Waipu River Mouth Wildlife Refuge - Wildlife Refuge (IUCN Category IV)
• Whangarei Harbour Wildlife Refuge - Wildlife Refuge (IUCN Category IV)
• Ruakaka Wildlife Refuge - Wildlife Refuge (IUCN Category IV)
• Moturekareka Is - Scenic Reserve (IUCN Category III)
• Tawharanui - Marine Reserve (IUCN Category Ia)
• Pirikawau Island - Stewardship Area (IUCN Category III)
• Moturahurahu Island - Stewardship Area (IUCN Category III)
• Motuapo Island Protected Private Land - Conservation Covenant (IUCN Category IV)
• 2B2 b - Closed Seamount Area (IUCN Category VI)
• Tipare - Conservation Covenant (IUCN Category IV)
• Takangaroa Island - Wildlife Refuge (IUCN Category IV)
• 5-02-375 - Open Space Covenant (IUCN Category IV)
• 5-02-491 - Open Space Covenant (IUCN Category IV)
• 5-02-1340 - Open Space Covenant (IUCN Category IV)
• 5-02-1341 - Open Space Covenant (IUCN Category IV)
• 5-02-1342 - Open Space Covenant (IUCN Category IV)

Getting to Poor Knights Islands - Nearest Airports

• Whangarei Airport (WRE), Whangarei - 36 km away, approx 55 min travel time
• Auckland International Airport (AKL), Auckland - 133 km away, approx 160 min travel time
• Kerikeri Airport (KKE), Kerikeri - 99 km away, approx 123 min travel time