Little Cave Bay - Poor Knights Islands

Omega Rock is our favourite kind of dive, a proper West Coast experience. You’re heading out into the open ocean, usually a bit bumpy, then dropping onto a series of immense granite pinnacles that just rocket up from the seabed. We’ve found the average depth is closer to 15 metres, with the deepest sand around 28 metres, so there’s plenty of bottom time to explore. The main pinnacle is a proper maze, split by these narrow gullies and huge boulders, creating overhangs and even a tight little swim-through we always enjoy squeezing through. Visibility often sits around 10 metres, so it’s not always gin-clear, but that just adds to the atmosphere, making the large schools of Redeye and dory feel even more dramatic as they materialise from the blue. Keep an eye out for Cosmopolitan Spurdogs tucked into crevices, and we’ve often spotted stingrays cruising the sand around the base. It’s a site for divers who appreciate dramatic topography and a bit of wildness, rather than just pretty colours. The currents can pick up here, so it’s best for those comfortable with varied conditions.

Location
Poor Knights Islands, New Zealand, Australasia
Coordinates
-35.942600, 175.142500
Type
reef

Marine Protected Area: Mokohinau 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 Little Cave 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 Little Cave 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