Poor Knights Islands, New Zealand
    Cape Rodney-Okakari Point

    ABC Bay

    Best months: Jan–Apr

    Protected Area

    Cape Rodney-Okakari Point

    Why dive here

    With 79+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue sharks, dolphins, hammerhead sharks, humpback whales and orcas - ABC Bay offers some of Poor Knights Islands's richest reef diving. Water ranges 15-22°C, warmest January, February, March.

    Best timeJan–Apr
    WetsuitA 5mm wetsuit
    Marine lifeBlue Sharks, Dolphins, Hammerhead Sharks, Humpback Whales and Orcas · 79+ species recorded
    Water15-22°C · warmest January, February, March
    CharacterReef dive
    StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

    ABC Bay, despite its relatively shallow maximum depth of 7m, is one of our favourite spots at Poor Knights. You’re not here for dramatic drop-offs, but for the sheer density of life tucked into every crevice of the kelp-draped rock wall. We particularly love poking around the darker spots, often finding a Spitlure Frogfish camouflaged perfectly, or coming face to face with a grumpy-looking Crested Blenny. The visibility averages 8m, which isn't gin-clear but honestly, it’s perfect for the intimate scale of this dive. The sandy patches are great for spotting Smooth Skates, and sometimes you'll even catch Pacific sardines shimmering past in thick schools. It's a fantastic site for macro enthusiasts and anyone who enjoys a slow, deliberate exploration. If you visit in winter, keep an eye out for playful seals zipping through the kelp. This site is ideal for photographers and divers who appreciate the smaller, often overlooked inhabitants of the reef.

    Today05:4418:3312h 48m daylightGolden hour 17:58

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    Conditions

    Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for ABC Bay

    ABC Bay Ocean Conditions

    Monthly averages for ABC Bay, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU) - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (-35.84, 174.61) (14km away)

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    October Averages

    Sea Temperature

    16°C

    60°F · Range: 14.8–17.1°C

    Current Speed

    11.4 cm/s

    Direction: SE (142.1°)

    Chlorophyll-a

    0.388 mg/m³

    Moderate productivity

    Salinity

    35.44 PSU

    Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU)

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