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Log This Dive

Gem Cave

Gem Cave. If you’re at Poor Knights, you’re probably going to visit. And you should. It’s exactly what it sounds like – a cave, lit up by bioluminescence, especially when you bring a torch. We always suggest diving it during high tide; the entrance feels more substantial, less like you’re threading a needle. The two entrances merge deeper inside, creating this surprisingly spacious chamber where the light really plays tricks on you. The magic happens when you hit the walls with your torch. What looks like dull rock transforms into a canvas of reds, oranges, and purples from sponges and anemones. We’ve spent ages just hovering, watching the shadows dance, looking for shy nudibranchs and shrimp tucked into crevices. Keep an eye out for green wrasse darting between the rocks and, if you’re lucky, a sleepy spotted stargazer half-buried in the sand. Visibility here averages around 8m, which for a cave dive, feels perfectly adequate. It’s not a deep dive, maxing out at 9m, so it’s a great spot for newer divers to experience a cave without feeling overwhelmed. Just remember that torch – it truly makes the difference here.