Hideaway Bay - Poor Knights Islands

We’ve always had a soft spot for the quieter sites on Curaçao, and the Lost Anchor is a perfect example of why. You drop in over a shallow sandy patch, maybe 5 meters, and then the reef proper starts. It’s a gentle slope down to about 20 meters, covered in healthy hard corals, lots of brain and star corals that have been left alone, which is always nice to see. The anchor line itself is a little bit of a landmark, a thick old rope stretching into the deeper water, often attracting a cluster of school bass and glasseye snapper. But our favorite part is the shallower reef edge, where you can spend ages just spotting the little stuff. We’ve found mottled flounders perfectly camouflaged in the sand, spotted trunkfish wobbling through the coral heads, and those tiny emerald sleepers nestled into crevices. Keep an eye out for the Atlantic Christmas tree worms, their colorful spirals retracting with the slightest movement. The currents here are usually mild, making it a relaxed dive, ideal for photographers or anyone who just wants to take their time and really observe. It’s a great morning dive, before the sun gets too high and washes out the colors.

Location
Poor Knights Islands, New Zealand, Australasia
Coordinates
-35.472200, 174.734100
Type
reef

Marine Protected Area: Poor Knights Islands

Best Time to Dive in Poor Knights Islands

The warmest water temperatures in Poor Knights Islands occur in February, averaging 21.9°C. The coolest conditions are in August at 15.8°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 21.4°C
  • February: 21.9°C
  • March: 21.7°C
  • April: 20.6°C
  • May: 19.1°C
  • June: 17.6°C
  • July: 16.5°C
  • August: 15.8°C
  • September: 15.9°C
  • October: 16.6°C
  • November: 18.2°C
  • December: 19.8°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Poor Knights Islands

Nearest Dive Centres to Hideaway Bay

Marine Life in Poor Knights Islands

Home to 84 recorded species including 53 reef fish, 11 sharks & rays, 4 whales & dolphins, 4 other, 3 crabs & lobsters, 2 sea urchins.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Hideaway Bay

Based on average water temperature of 18.8°C, currents 12 cm/s.

  • Wetsuit (3-5mm) - comfortable for 19°C water
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the typical diving depths at Hideaway Bay, Vanuatu, and are there options for both shallow and deep dives?
The information provided is for Hideaway Bay in the Poor Knights Islands, New Zealand, not Vanuatu. At this New Zealand site, divers can explore depths up to a maximum of 19m. The site features a shear wall reaching 18m and a gently sloping wall, offering options for both shallower and moderately deep dives.
What kind of marine life and unique underwater attractions can divers expect to see at Hideaway Bay, Vanuatu?
The data available pertains to Hideaway Bay in the Poor Knights Islands, New Zealand, not Vanuatu. At this New Zealand dive site, divers can encounter a variety of marine life including baorfish, eagle rays, stingrays, eels, nudibranchs, and urchins. During winter, there's a good chance of seeing seals, adding to the unique attractions of this reef dive.
Is Hideaway Bay, Vanuatu, considered a good dive site for beginners, or does it offer more challenging dives for experienced scuba divers?
The information provided is for Hideaway Bay in the Poor Knights Islands, New Zealand, not Vanuatu. This New Zealand site is classified as an intermediate difficulty dive. While not exclusively for advanced divers, it offers enough complexity to be engaging for those with some diving experience.
What is the best time of year to go scuba diving at Hideaway Bay, Vanuatu, for optimal weather and water conditions?
The data available is for Hideaway Bay in the Poor Knights Islands, New Zealand, not Vanuatu. While specific optimal weather and water conditions for general diving are not detailed, winter offers a very good chance of encountering seals at this New Zealand site. For more general information on dive conditions, you might consult DivePlnr's When to Dive section.
What scuba diving certifications are required or recommended to explore the various dive sites around Hideaway Bay, Vanuatu?
The information provided is for Hideaway Bay in the Poor Knights Islands, New Zealand, not Vanuatu. Given its intermediate difficulty rating and maximum depth of 19m, an Open Water Diver certification is generally sufficient. However, an Advanced Open Water certification could be beneficial for comfort and experience at deeper sections of the site.
What are the usual water conditions, visibility, and currents like for scuba diving at Hideaway Bay, Vanuatu?
The data available pertains to Hideaway Bay in the Poor Knights Islands, New Zealand, not Vanuatu. At this New Zealand dive site, divers can expect an average visibility of 16m. Information regarding typical water temperatures or currents is not provided in the available data.