Landing Bay Pinnacle - Poor Knights Islands

Landing Bay Pinnacle really stands out for us at the Poor Knights. It’s got that signature Poor Knights feel – a big, rocky structure rising from the deep, often swathed in golden kelp near the surface. What we love about this site, though, is how much it changes as you descend. Down deep, we’ve found violet roughy hiding in the darker crevices, and sometimes, a big oceanic manta ray will just glide past in the blue. Closer to the pinnacle itself, the rock walls are plastered with sponges and anemones, providing perfect hiding spots for those tiny mimic blennies and crested blennies. You’ll see schools of New Zealand demoiselles flickering like silver confetti, and the eastern king wrasse are always putting on a show, flashing their colours. The sheer number of species here – over 230 – means every dive reveals something new. Our favourite moments have been watching marbled parrotfish crunching on the reef, or spotting a shortfin mako shark cruising by in the distance. We’d suggest heading here on a calm day, when the sun can really penetrate the water and light up all those colours. It’s a site that rewards multiple visits.

Location
Poor Knights Islands, New Zealand, Australasia
Coordinates
-35.464756, 174.734850
Type
pinnacle

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 Landing Bay Pinnacle

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 Landing Bay Pinnacle

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