Poor Knights Island NZ - Poor Knights Islands

Ship Wreck Point is a site we’ve always enjoyed, especially if you’re looking for a relaxed boat dive with a decent payoff. It sits right in front of the Sea Aquarium, so boat access is definitely the way to go. We find the reef wall shines in that 10-20m range, absolutely covered in coral. It's not a deep dive by any stretch, topping out around 19m, but that means plenty of bottom time. The real draw here, for us, is the old anchor and that massive propeller at 10m. They’re draped in sponges and soft corals, providing homes for all sorts of reef fish. We’ve often seen Spotfin Dragonets doing their little dance around the prop, and Red Hogfish are always nosing about. Look closely for Smallmouth Gobies tucked into crevices. The reef itself attracts plenty of parrotfish and trumpetfish, but it's the structures that bring in the smaller, more interesting stuff. Visibility averages a solid 23m, so you get clear views of everything. It’s a gentle drift, perfect for an afternoon when you don’t want to fight a current.

Location
Poor Knights Islands, New Zealand, Australasia
Coordinates
-35.464800, 174.732800
Type
wreck

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 Poor Knights Island NZ

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 Poor Knights Island NZ

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