Brady’s Corner (Shark Fin Cave) - Poor Knights Islands

Brady's Corner, or Shark Fin Cave as we usually call it, is one of our favourites at Poor Knights. It's not about the deep, dramatic stuff here. Instead, you're looking at a truly unique cave system, shallow enough that the light still penetrates, painting the walls with shifting blues and greens. We love drifting through the main chamber, feeling the slight surge as it pushes you gently past walls thick with orange cup corals and sponges. You’ll often find snapper schooling just inside the entrance, lazily circling, and we’ve spotted big long-nosed butterflyfish picking around the edges of the reef. The real magic happens when you look up though; the "shark fin" rock formation that gives the cave its nickname is striking, especially when the sun hits it right. Keep an eye out for blue-eyed triplefins darting in and out of crevices, and if you’re lucky, a mako shark might cruise by the entrance in the deeper blue. It’s perfect for new divers or anyone who appreciates the quieter beauty of a well-lit cave dive.

Location
Poor Knights Islands, New Zealand, Australasia
Coordinates
-35.479400, 174.738000
Type
cave
Maximum Depth
10-25m

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 Brady’s Corner (Shark Fin Cave)

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 Brady’s Corner (Shark Fin Cave)

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