Meditation Wall - Poor Knights Islands

The Pinnacles off Rarotonga aren't your typical wall dive. We love this site for its dramatic topography, a real change from the fringing reef. You descend onto a sloping coral reef before it drops away, and then, boom, you’re greeted by two massive coral bommies rising from the seabed. One's had a bit of a tumble, but the remaining structures are still impressive, reaching up towards 20 metres. Down at around 22 metres, these formations are absolutely buzzing. Look closely and you'll spot cheeky Twinspot Hawkfish perched on the coral, while schools of Pacific Gregory shimmer in the blue. We often find Humphead Wrasse cruising the deeper sections, their sheer size always a thrill. Keep an eye out for the more unusual residents too, like the granular frog shell or a Johnston Island Damsel darting about. Trevally and barracuda often patrol the fringes, adding a predatory edge. This site really shines in the late morning, with the sun illuminating the bommies. It’s a cracker of a dive for those who appreciate interesting reef structures and the smaller, shyer creatures that inhabit them.

Location
Poor Knights Islands, New Zealand, Australasia
Coordinates
-35.480600, 174.736000
Type
pinnacle

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 Meditation Wall

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 Meditation Wall

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