pinnacle

Log This Dive

Lighthouse Bay

Lighthouse Bay isn't the Poor Knights' showstopper, let's be honest. It's a shallow, rocky bay, tucked close to the Tutukaka harbour mouth, and in recent years, it’s seen its share of challenges, particularly with local shellfish populations. We've spent time here, poking around the kelp, and while you won't find the dramatic walls or massive pelagics that draw divers to other Poor Knights sites, it has a quiet charm. We really like it for a relaxed second dive, especially when the weather's a bit choppy elsewhere. At a maximum of 12 metres, it’s a perfect spot for newer divers or those who just want to spend some time looking closely. Visibility averages around 7 metres, which means you're really focusing on the details in front of you. You'll spot plenty of local coastal fish: schools of red moki flitting through the kelp, snapper lurking in the shadows, and if you’re patient, a green rock lobster peeking out from a crevice. The triplefins are everywhere, the striped and oblique-swimming varieties darting between rocks. It’s a good spot to just slow down, take some photos of the smaller stuff, and appreciate the resilience of a marine environment working to regenerate. Keep an eye out for southern reef squid too; their colour changes are always fascinating to watch.