Mathesons Bay - Poor Knights Islands

Picnic Island always reminds us why we came to Fiji in the first place. You drop onto a shallow, sun-drenched reef, maybe 15 metres at its deepest, and immediately the soft corals get to work. They’re less about individual fans and more about vast, undulating carpets of every pastel shade – pinks, purples, oranges, all swaying in a gentle surge. We love just hanging out, watching the light play through them. It's a macro paradise. Give yourself time to really look amongst the coral branches and you’ll spot those tiny, perfectly camouflaged creatures – the Eyebar Spinygoby, little Coral Blennies tucked into crevices. Keep an eye out for Ghost Cardinalfish, they’re masters of blending in. We’ve often seen Pink Anemonefish here, too, nestled deep in their host anemones. It's a relaxed, easy dive, probably one of our favourite spots for photographers who love finding the small wonders. Visibility averages a decent 12m, though on a good day it feels like forever. If you want a slow, meandering dive with endless soft coral and fantastic macro opportunities, this is your spot.

Location
Poor Knights Islands, New Zealand, Australasia
Coordinates
-36.302200, 174.798000
Type
reef

Marine Protected Area: Cape Rodney-Okakari Point

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 Mathesons 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 Mathesons 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