Shag Rock
Protected Area
Cape Rodney-Okakari Point
Why dive here
With 79+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue sharks, dolphins, hammerhead sharks, humpback whales and orcas - Shag Rock offers some of Poor Knights Islands's richest wall diving. Water ranges 15-22°C, warmest January, February, March.
Shag Rock feels like a secret, a real insider’s spot at the Poor Knights. It’s shallow, only ever getting to about 8m at its deepest, which makes for long bottom times and gorgeous light. We love slipping into the kelp forests that hug the rock, the fronds swaying with the surge, creating these shifting shadows. Keep your eyes peeled for snapper hovering in the gloom, and if you’re lucky, an eagle ray might glide past. It's a dive that rewards slow exploration, perfect for photographers or anyone who just wants to soak up the unique atmosphere of the Knights without the deeper commitments.
Nearest Dive Centres to Shag Rock
Dive shops near Shag Rock
GOAT ISLAND DIVE and SNORKEL
NEW ZEALAND DIVING
Auckland Scuba - Silverdale
Reviews for Shag Rock
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Shag Rock
Shag Rock Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for Shag Rock, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU) - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (-35.84, 174.61) (14km away)
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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