Bartle Bay - Poor Knights Islands

The Corveta Camaquã is the wreck dive in Fernando de Noronha that always pulls us back. It’s a purposeful dive, dropping down to 52 metres, so you need to be comfortable with depth and maybe think about nitrox to stretch out bottom time. The ship lies on its starboard side, largely intact, which means you get that real sense of a vessel resting on the seabed. We love swimming along the deck, past the cannons and scattered ammunition, imagining the rough seas that brought her down. Visibility here often hits 25 metres, and with the light filtering through the water, the scale of the wreck really hits you. Schools of snapper and jacks are constant companions, swirling around the superstructure. Keep an eye out for green turtles, often found munching on algae growing on the hull, seemingly unbothered by divers. We’ve also had some incredible encounters with eagle rays gliding gracefully past the bow. It’s a dive for those who appreciate history and the way the ocean reclaims human artefacts, creating new homes for marine life.

Location
Poor Knights Islands, New Zealand, Australasia
Coordinates
-35.474000, 174.739900
Type
wreck

Marine Protected Area: 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

Nearby Dive Sites in Poor Knights Islands

Nearest Dive Centres to Bartle Bay

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.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Bartle Bay

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