Maomao Arch - Poor Knights Islands

Pelican Rock, just a short boat ride from Playas del Coco, is one of those sites we always recommend for a relaxed afternoon. Don't let the "shallow training site" tag fool you; there's plenty to keep an experienced eye busy, even if you’re only dropping to 8 or 10 metres. We love cruising over the sandy bottom between the two main pinnacles, keeping an eye out for rays - we've spotted a few guitar rays here, which is always a treat, along with stingrays settled into the sand. Peek into the crevices and under ledges formed by the rocks; that's where the morays like to hide. We've seen some beautifully camouflaged hourglass morays peeking out, and the nudibranchs here are surprisingly diverse for a shallow site, often clinging to the rock face. The visibility averages around 10 metres, so it’s not always gin-clear, but it’s usually good enough to appreciate the details, like the delicate triplefins hovering near the rock, or a hand-strapped crab scuttling past. It’s perfect for divers who want to take their time, practice buoyancy, or just enjoy a chill dive without strong currents.

Location
Poor Knights Islands, New Zealand, Australasia
Coordinates
-35.467300, 174.736700
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 Maomao Arch

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 Maomao Arch

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