HMNZS Waikato wreck - Poor Knights Islands

Lucy’s Wall, for us, is one of those sites that proves you don’t need depth or dramatic topography for a truly rewarding dive. It’s a shallow muck dive, rarely deeper than 7m, tucked away near a breakwall – perfect for a relaxed hour or two when you just want to potter. We often head here for a macro fix or to try out new camera gear without fighting current. The real magic here is spotting the tiny, the camouflaged, and the just plain weird. You’ll spend most of your time with your nose just inches from the sandy, silty bottom, hunting for things like the cryptic Long-tailed Dragonfish, which blends in perfectly, or the comical Freckled Anglerfish. We’ve had great luck finding Tasmanian Blennies here too, darting between the bits of shell and sparse weed. Visibility averages around 4m, sometimes less, but that forces you to slow down and really look, which is exactly what muck diving is about. It’s not for big pelagics, but if you love searching for the small stuff, Lucy’s Wall delivers.

Location
Poor Knights Islands, New Zealand, Australasia
Coordinates
-35.631800, 174.566900
Type
wall

Marine Protected Area: Tutukaka

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 HMNZS Waikato wreck

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 HMNZS Waikato wreck

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