Cave Bay
Protected Area
Poor Knights Islands
Why dive here
With 79+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue sharks, dolphins, hammerhead sharks, humpback whales and orcas - Cave Bay offers some of Poor Knights Islands's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 15-22°C, warmest January, February, March.
Cave Bay, on the eastern side of Poor Knights, feels like a secret handshake. It’s not always accessible, needing calm easterlies, but when you get in, it’s a proper escape. We drop into a world of big, kelp-covered boulders, and for us, the real magic is just exploring the nooks and crannies. You find resident morays peering out, crayfish tucked deep, and if you’re patient, a scorpionfish perfectly camouflaged on the rock. The maximum depth here is 18 metres, making it super relaxed. We often spend our dives just meandering, letting our eyes adjust to the green light filtering through the kelp. Keep an eye out for the shoals of Koheru shimmering overhead, often with Kingfish patrolling the edges. It’s a site that rewards slow diving and a keen eye, perfect for anyone who loves the thrill of discovery without needing extreme depths.
Typical Cave Bay Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
Nearest Dive Centres to Cave Bay
Dive shops near Cave Bay
Dive! Tutukaka
Northland Dive
Moana Futures Ltd
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Reviews for Cave Bay
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Cave Bay
Cave Bay Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for Cave Bay, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU) - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (-35.84, 174.61) (14km away)
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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