The Gardens - Poor Knights Islands

Zara's Garden is a really pleasant shallow reef in the Somosomo Strait, perfect for a relaxed dive if you're keen on taking your time. The reef starts in just a meter of water and slopes down to about 19 meters, packed with soft and hard corals. We've seen some lovely fluted clams here, and if you’ve got a good eye, you might spot an ivory cowry or even a soft locust lobster tucked away. Visibility usually hovers around 20 meters, making it a great spot for newer divers or anyone who just wants to soak up the colour without battling a strong current.

Location
Poor Knights Islands, New Zealand, Australasia
Coordinates
-35.480500, 174.737600
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 The Gardens

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 The Gardens

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 is the typical depth for diving at The Gardens dive site in Dahab?
The provided data is for The Gardens dive site located in the Poor Knights Islands, New Zealand, not Dahab. At this New Zealand site, the depth at the back of the bay is typically 5-10m, with the bay plateauing at 10-15m for about 500m out from the wall. The maximum depth recorded for this site is 17m, offering a range of depths for exploration.
What kind of marine life and coral can divers expect to see at The Gardens dive site?
The provided data is for The Gardens dive site in Poor Knights Islands, New Zealand, not Dahab. Divers at this reef site can expect to encounter a rich variety of marine life, including schools of snapper, moki, porae, and kingfish. You'll also spot triple fins, blennies, wrasses, pigfish, eels, rays, trevally, goatfish, leatherjacket, maomao, scorpionfish, angelfish, nudibranchs, and flatworms. For more information on marine species, visit our wildlife database.
Is The Gardens dive site suitable for beginner divers, or is it considered more challenging?
The provided data is for The Gardens dive site in Poor Knights Islands, New Zealand, not Dahab. This site is classified with an 'intermediate' difficulty rating. While consistently shallow with depths from 5-17m, the presence of cracks and archways like Shark Fin Cave suggests it's best suited for divers with some experience.
What is the best time of year to dive at The Gardens in Dahab for optimal conditions?
The provided data is for The Gardens dive site in Poor Knights Islands, New Zealand, not Dahab. Our current data for this specific New Zealand site does not specify the best time of year for optimal diving conditions. For general guidance on dive seasons, please refer to our When to Dive section.
What diving certifications are required to explore The Gardens dive site in Dahab?
The provided data is for The Gardens dive site in Poor Knights Islands, New Zealand, not Dahab. Our current data for this specific New Zealand site does not specify any particular diving certifications required. Given its 'intermediate' difficulty, it is generally recommended that divers have at least an Open Water certification with some experience.
What are the typical current conditions and visibility like at The Gardens dive site?
The provided data is for The Gardens dive site in Poor Knights Islands, New Zealand, not Dahab. At this New Zealand site, divers can expect an average visibility of 15m, offering clear views of the reef and marine life. Information regarding typical current conditions for this specific site is not available in the provided data.