Poor Knights Islands, New Zealand
    Whangarei Harbour

    Mcgregor’s Bay

    Best months: Jan–Apr

    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.

    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
    CharacterPinnacle dive
    StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

    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.

    Today05:4618:3312h 48m daylightGolden hour 17:59

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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)

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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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