Boarfish Reef Poor Knights - Poor Knights Islands

Eagle Ray Rock. The name gives a lot away, doesn't it? And often, it delivers. We've had some cracking dives here, especially when the spotted eagle rays glide by, completely unbothered. It's a proper wall dive, starting around 12 metres and dropping down to about 25. You’ll find some massive coral heads near the mooring, making for some cool swim-throughs if you poke around. We like to drift along the wall, keeping an eye out into the blue for those rays. It's a great spot for just cruising, letting the current do some of the work. You’ll see plenty of bluestriped grunts hanging out, and if you get down close to the sand, look for the sand stargazers – they're masters of camouflage. We’ve also spotted some surprisingly colourful parrotfish munching on the coral and the occasional green razorfish darting about. Visibility here is usually excellent, often 20 metres or more, making it easy to appreciate the scale of the wall. It’s a good choice for newer wall divers, as the current isn't usually too wild, but also rewarding for experienced eyes looking for those bigger pelagics.

Location
Poor Knights Islands, New Zealand, Australasia
Coordinates
-35.462100, 174.734200
Type
reef

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 Boarfish Reef Poor Knights

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 Boarfish Reef Poor Knights

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