Jones Bay
Protected Area
Tawharanui
Why dive here
With 79+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue sharks, dolphins, hammerhead sharks, humpback whales and orcas - Jones Bay offers some of Poor Knights Islands's richest reef diving. Water ranges 15-22°C, warmest January, February, March.
Jones Bay, nestled on the Poor Knights, feels like a sheltered kindergarten for the resident fish. It’s a shallow spot, topping out at seven metres, making it perfect for newer divers or those looking for a long, relaxed safety stop. We’ve spent plenty of time here just watching juvenile snapper and demoiselles dart through the kelp, occasionally spotting an eagle ray glide past the entrance. The calm, clear conditions usually make for easy viewing, though a good torch helps peek into the darker crevices. It’s a gentle introduction to the Poor Knights vibe.
Typical Jones Bay Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Nearest Dive Centres to Jones Bay
Dive shops near Jones Bay
GOAT ISLAND DIVE and SNORKEL
NEW ZEALAND DIVING
Auckland Scuba - Silverdale
Reviews for Jones Bay
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Jones Bay
Jones Bay Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for Jones Bay, 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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