Fairchild Reef
Protected Area
Tawharanui
Why dive here
With 79+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue sharks, dolphins, hammerhead sharks, humpback whales and orcas - Fairchild Reef offers some of Poor Knights Islands's richest reef diving. Water ranges 15-22°C, warmest January, February, March.
Fairchild Reef is a shallow, sheltered spot, perfect for getting comfortable with the Poor Knights. At a maximum depth of 13 metres, it’s an easy run, no tricky currents to contend with. You’ll spend your time here exploring the reef structure, often finding inquisitive demoiselles and schools of blue maomao darting amongst the kelp. It’s a solid choice for beginners or for those looking for a relaxed second dive.
Typical Fairchild Reef Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.
Nearest Dive Centres to Fairchild Reef
Dive shops near Fairchild Reef
GOAT ISLAND DIVE and SNORKEL
NEW ZEALAND DIVING
Auckland Scuba - Silverdale
Reviews for Fairchild Reef
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Fairchild Reef
Fairchild Reef Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for Fairchild Reef, 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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