Matts Crack - Poor Knights Islands

Piedra Bonita, "Beautiful Rock," lives up to its name. We think this site is a solid choice for a relaxing afternoon dive, especially if you’re staying in Bayahibe. The rock formation itself is the star, a sizable coral and rock structure that drops to around 25 meters. We’ve found the best of it above 20 meters, where the coral growth is densest. Keep an eye out for the smaller stuff – we often spot Peppered Gobies and Roughtail Gobies on the rock face, and Trumpetfish are usually lurking about. While the data mentions sharks and turtles, we’ve seen more Harlequin Bass and schools of small reef fish weaving through the turtlegrass and manatee grass beds nearby. Visibility averages around 12 meters, so it’s a site where you’ll want to get a little closer to appreciate the details. It’s a pretty straightforward dive, good for most experience levels.

Location
Poor Knights Islands, New Zealand, Australasia
Coordinates
-35.476700, 174.742400
Type
reef

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 Matts Crack

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 Matts Crack

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the typical depth range for diving within Matts Crack?
Matts Crack offers a maximum depth of 20m, with the open end of the crack itself being about 15m deep. This makes it accessible for a range of divers to explore. This unique dive site is open to the surface along its entire 60m length.
What marine life and unique underwater features can divers expect to encounter at Matts Crack?
Matts Crack is renowned for its stunning blue glow, creating incredible silhouette photography opportunities within the 60m long crack. Divers can expect to see a diverse array of marine life, including Scorpionfish, Stingrays, Eels, Toadstool Grouper, and various reef fish like Snapper, Maomao, and Wrasses. The walls are adorned with Sponges, Corals, Anemones, and Kelp, adding to the vibrant underwater scenery.
How difficult is the Matts Crack dive site, and is it suitable for beginner divers?
The Matts Crack dive site is rated as intermediate difficulty. While it is open to the surface along its entire length, its unique environment suggests it is more suitable for divers with some experience rather than absolute beginners. Divers should be comfortable with navigating enclosed spaces, even those open to the surface.
What is the best time of year to dive Matts Crack for the clearest water and optimal light conditions?
The provided data does not specify the best time of year for optimal light conditions or clearest water at Matts Crack. However, the average visibility at this Poor Knights Islands site is an excellent 16m, offering good conditions. For general information on seasonal diving, you might consult our When to Dive section.
Are there any specific scuba diving certifications required to dive Matts Crack, given its overhead environment?
While Matts Crack is described as an intermediate dive and features a crack environment, it is explicitly stated to be "open to the surface the whole length of the crack." This means it does not technically qualify as a true overhead environment requiring specialized cavern or cave diving certifications. However, divers should possess an appropriate level of experience for an intermediate site.
What are the usual current and swell conditions divers should be aware of when planning a dive at Matts Crack?
The provided data for Matts Crack does not include specific information regarding usual current and swell conditions. As with any dive planning, it is always recommended to check local conditions and forecasts immediately prior to your dive. Consulting with local dive operators in the Poor Knights Islands area will provide the most up-to-date information.