Cleanerfish 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 - Cleanerfish Bay offers some of Poor Knights Islands's richest drift diving. Water ranges 15-22°C, warmest January, February, March.
Cleanerfish Bay is exactly what it sounds like, and we love it for its simple charm. It’s a shallow, sheltered spot, perfect for an easy dive, especially if you’re looking to take your time and really observe. The bay’s wraparound wall guides you to a small cave, but the real show is often happening right in front of you. Keep an eye out for Crimson cleaner fish doing their important work, zipping around larger fish. We’ve spent whole safety stops just watching the bustle here. The boulder-strewn slope descending to 17m is excellent for spotting Green Rock Lobster tucked into crevices or a sleepy Painted Moki holding court near the wall. Visibility hovers around 16m on a good day, giving you a clear view of the resident Spotty and New Zealand Demoiselle darting between the rocks. It’s a calm, quiet dive, ideal for photographers or anyone who appreciates the smaller wonders of the reef.
Safety Notes
Drift dive - carry a surface marker buoy (SMB) and stay with your group. Brief the current direction before entry.
Nearest Dive Centres to Cleanerfish Bay
Dive shops near Cleanerfish Bay
Dive! Tutukaka
Northland Dive
Moana Futures Ltd
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Reviews for Cleanerfish Bay
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Cleanerfish Bay
Cleanerfish Bay Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for Cleanerfish 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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