Southern Arch - Poor Knights Islands

Turtle Beach, despite its name, isn't always about the turtles. Sure, you might spot a green sea turtle snoozing on the sand, but our real draw here is the shark action. Drop down to around 10-12 metres and settle in; the resident grey reef sharks, blacktips, and whitetips are reliably curious. We love the feeling of them circling closer with each pass, especially when the light filters down through the gin-clear water. It's a mellow dive, maxing out at 14 metres, making it perfect for newer divers keen for some close encounters without the usual current drama. Just remember, this site is weather-dependent. If there's a westerly swell, we'd suggest skipping it and heading elsewhere, as it gets pretty uncomfortable near Turks Reef. When conditions are calm, though, the visibility can push past 20 metres, making those shark passes even more dramatic. Keep an eye out for the colourful parade of parrotfish and triggerfish along the reef edge between shark sightings.

Location
Poor Knights Islands, New Zealand, Australasia
Coordinates
-35.491300, 174.741400
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 Southern 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 Southern 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