Poor Knights Islands, New Zealand
    Poor Knights Islands

    Riko Riko cave

    Best months: Jan–Apr

    Protected Area

    Poor Knights Islands

    Why dive here

    With 79+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue sharks, dolphins, hammerhead sharks, humpback whales and orcas - Riko Riko cave offers some of Poor Knights Islands's richest reef 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
    CharacterReef dive
    StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

    Riko Riko isn't just a cave, it’s an experience. We’ve been through it a few times, and the sheer scale still makes us feel tiny, even knowing it's the largest sea cave in the Southern Hemisphere. Entering, the light changes dramatically, the usual bright blues shifting to deep emeralds and then inky blackness. It’s a sensory overload in the best way. We love dropping down into the cave mouth, watching the schools of Blue Maomao swirl and dart, their scales catching the last of the sun. Our favourite spot is right at the back; the water there is usually calm, and if you let your eyes adjust, you'll start picking out the tiny, colourful nudibranchs on the walls. If you can arrange a night dive, do it. The cave truly comes alive after dark, and with a good torch, you'll spot hardshell shrimp and mottled triplefins you'd miss during the day. It’s a great dive for anyone comfortable in low light, offering something really unique beyond the usual reef cruise.

    Today05:4518:3212h 47m daylightGolden hour 17:58

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    Conditions

    Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Riko Riko cave

    Riko Riko cave Ocean Conditions

    Monthly averages for Riko Riko cave, 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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