Poor Knights Islands, New Zealand
    Poor Knights Islands

    Hen and chicken island

    Best months: Jan–Apr

    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 - Hen and chicken island offers some of Poor Knights Islands's richest diving. Water ranges 15-22°C, warmest January, February, March.

    Best timeJan–Apr
    WetsuitA 5mm wetsuit
    Marine lifeBlue Sharks, Dolphins, Hammerhead Sharks, Humpback Whales and Orcas · 79+ species recorded
    Water15-22°C · warmest January, February, March
    StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

    Hen and Chicken Island offers a quieter dive than some of the main Poor Knights sites. We often find schooling demoiselles here, and the cracks in the rock walls sometimes shelter moray eels. It’s a good spot for a second dive or if you prefer less current. Visibility can be a little less consistent here compared to the main pinnacles.

    Today05:4518:3212h 47m daylightGolden hour 17:58

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    Conditions

    Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Hen and chicken island

    Hen and chicken island Ocean Conditions

    Monthly averages for Hen and chicken island, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU) - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (-35.84, 174.61) (14km away)

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    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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