Poor Knights Islands - Northern Arch - Poor Knights Islands

Northern Arch is Poor Knights at its absolute best. You drop in, and it's just this colossal, silent space carved right through the rock. We love drifting through the arch itself, watching the schools of demoiselles pulse and shift like one giant organism. Look up, and the light refracts through the surface, painting stripes on the rock walls, while down below, you’ll spot kina tucked into crevices and big long-nosed butterflyfish picking around the edges. Our favourite time to dive here is mid-morning, when the sun angle really sets the arch aglow. The currents can get a little pushy outside the arch, but inside, it’s usually calm enough for most divers to just hang and soak it all in. If you’re lucky, a mako might cruise by in the blue, though we’ve only seen that a couple of times. It’s an easy dive that feels epic, perfect for anyone who appreciates dramatic underwater architecture and vibrant fish life.

Location
Poor Knights Islands, New Zealand, Australasia
Coordinates
-35.453000, 174.740000
Type
cave
Maximum Depth
15-30m

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 Islands - Northern Arch

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 Islands - Northern Arch

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the typical depths for diving the Northern Arch at Poor Knights Islands?
The typical depths for diving the Northern Arch at Poor Knights Islands range from 15 to 30 meters. This depth range allows divers to explore the massive archway and its vibrant marine life effectively.
What kind of marine life and underwater features can divers expect to see at the Poor Knights Islands Northern Arch?
Divers at the Northern Arch can expect to encounter a massive archway, which is the signature feature of this cave dive. The archway is teeming with diverse marine life, including subtropical fish, stingrays, and schooling demoiselles, all visible in gin-clear water.
How difficult is diving the Northern Arch at Poor Knights Islands, and what skill level is recommended?
Diving the Northern Arch at Poor Knights Islands is rated as intermediate difficulty. This means it is recommended for divers who have some experience beyond entry-level certifications and are comfortable with cave diving environments.
What is the best time of year to dive the Northern Arch for optimal conditions and marine life?
The provided data does not specify the best time of year to dive the Northern Arch for optimal conditions or marine life. For general guidance on seasonal diving, please refer to our When to Dive section.
What dive certifications are required or recommended for diving the Northern Arch?
The provided data does not explicitly state specific dive certifications required or recommended for diving the Northern Arch. Given its intermediate difficulty and cave dive type, it's generally advisable to have advanced open water certification and potentially cavern or cave diving specialty training.
What are the typical current and water conditions like when diving the Northern Arch?
When diving the Northern Arch, divers can expect gin-clear water conditions, offering excellent visibility. The provided data does not specify typical current conditions for this particular dive site.