Mcgregor’s Bay
Protected Area
Whangarei Harbour
Why dive here
With 79+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue sharks, dolphins, hammerhead sharks, humpback whales and orcas - Mcgregor’s Bay offers some of Poor Knights Islands's richest pinnacle diving. Water ranges 15-22°C, warmest January, February, March.
McGregor’s Bay might be shallow, maxing out around nine metres, but don't let that fool you. This is a Poor Knights classic for a reason, perfect for those days when the deeper sites are a bit too lumpy. We love dropping in here, especially around high tide when the water really fills the bay. The visibility averages around five metres, so it’s not always gin-clear, but that’s part of its charm – you have to look for things. We usually spend our time exploring the fingers of encrusted reef that jut out from the edges, feeling the cool water swirl around as we push into the crevices. Look for the Striped Triplefins perched on the rocks, their little eyes following you. We've often spotted Short-tail Stingrays gliding silently over the sandy patches, and if you have a keen eye, the purple sunset clams are a treat, their vibrant colours a real pop against the darker rock. It’s a site for slow diving, for appreciating the smaller details. If you're into macro or just want a relaxed potter, this bay delivers.
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Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Mcgregor’s Bay
Mcgregor’s Bay Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for Mcgregor’s Bay, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU) - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (-35.84, 174.61) (14km away)
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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