Ngaio Rock - Poor Knights Islands

Rappel on Klein Bonaire feels like a proper escape. We always aim for an early morning drop here, before the other boats crowd the moorings. The boat ride across is quick, maybe ten minutes, but even that short journey feels like leaving the world behind. Once you’re in the water, the first thing you notice is the gentle slope of the reef, dotted with big colonies of blushing star coral and lettuce coral, which just glow in the morning light. You descend onto this calm, sandy patch at around 8-10 meters, where we often spot a yellowhead wrasse or a curious coney poking around. It’s perfect for letting your eyes adjust before you drift along the wall. The reef here, it just has this lovely, elegant shape, falling away gently to its maximum of 21 meters. We love to take our time here, letting the slight current carry us, looking for those smaller details – a tiny shark nose goby perched on a coral head, or a chain moray peeking out from its hidey-hole. Keep an eye out in the blue, too; we’ve had nurse sharks cruise by, and a lucky few have spotted eagle rays gliding past. It's a relaxed, beautiful drift, ideal for divers who appreciate subtle beauty over dramatic walls.

Location
Poor Knights Islands, New Zealand, Australasia
Coordinates
-35.489500, 174.738000
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 Ngaio Rock

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 Ngaio Rock

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