The Gardens
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 - The Gardens offers some of Poor Knights Islands's richest reef diving. Water ranges 15-22°C, warmest January, February, March.
The Gardens is a standout for us at the Poor Knights, and often one of our first stops. We love the easy entry into this shallow bay, especially when there's a bit of a swell running elsewhere. The back wall is riddled with cracks and archways, perfect for poking around, and you’ll find plenty of inquisitive snapper hovering in the shadows. We usually spend a good chunk of time around Shark Fin Cave – the light entering from the top creates an ethereal glow, illuminating the fan corals and sponges clinging to the walls. Out in the bay, the sandy patches often host foraging rays, and if you’re patient, you might spot a school of kingfish cruising by. This site is consistently shallow, maxing out at 17m, making it ideal for longer bottom times and less experienced divers looking to get comfortable. The average 15m visibility here means you can often see the boat from the seafloor, which is always a bonus. For those looking for a relaxed, sun-drenched dive with plenty of nooks and crannies to explore, The Gardens truly delivers.
Nearest Dive Centres to The Gardens
Dive shops near The Gardens
Dive! Tutukaka
Moana Futures Ltd
Northland Dive
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Reviews for The Gardens
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for The Gardens
The Gardens Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for The Gardens, 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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