Poor Knights Islands, New Zealand
    Poor Knights Islands

    Mary’s Wall

    Best months: Jan–Apr

    Protected Area

    Poor Knights Islands

    Why dive here

    With 79+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue sharks, dolphins, hammerhead sharks, humpback whales and orcas - Mary’s Wall offers some of Poor Knights Islands's richest reef diving. Water ranges 15-22°C, warmest January, February, March.

    Best timeJan–Apr
    WetsuitA 5mm wetsuit
    Marine lifeBlue Sharks, Dolphins, Hammerhead Sharks, Humpback Whales and Orcas · 79+ species recorded
    Water15-22°C · warmest January, February, March
    CharacterReef dive
    StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

    Mary’s Wall at the Poor Knights is one of those places that, on paper, sounds like a side-show. A "short wall," the data says. But dismiss it at your peril; we think it’s a brilliant little spot if you know how to dive it. Swim out from the main island, away from the usual crowds, and you’ll find it. The wall itself might not be endless, but it’s absolutely coated in those vibrant gorgonian fans, an anemone garden, and a riot of encrusting life. Our tip? Get in close and slow. This isn't a site for zooming past. We love spending time here just letting our eyes adjust to the details. Look for the nudibranchs tucked into every crevice, little flashes of colour against the deeper hues of the fans. Down at the base, you're almost guaranteed to spot a scorpionfish, perfectly camouflaged, just waiting for a meal to drift by. We’ve also seen Southern Eagle Rays cruising the deeper sections, a real treat if you catch one. This site really suits divers who appreciate macro life and aren’t afraid to take their time exploring a smaller area deeply.

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    Conditions

    Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Mary’s Wall

    Mary’s Wall Ocean Conditions

    Monthly averages for Mary’s Wall, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU) - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (-35.84, 174.61) (14km away)

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    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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