The Gut - Poor Knights Islands

Fish Rock Cave. If you’re diving in New South Wales and someone says “cave,” this is probably what they mean. We’ve done it a few times now, and honestly, it holds up. You drop down, usually to about 24 metres, and then you’re into the mouth of it. It’s not a tight squeeze, not like some of the keyhole entrances elsewhere, but still, you feel that shift as the ambient light starts to fade. The whole place is a 125-metre swim-through, a proper tunnel, and it’s dark enough in sections that your torch earns its keep. We love seeing the bullseyes packed into the cavern – they’re so dense sometimes they look like a shimmering, moving wall. And the grey nurse sharks, they're the real draw, often just hanging out in the gloom, completely unbothered. You might spot a Hawksbill turtle cruising past too, or a wobbegong tucked into a rocky overhang. It’s a dive for those who enjoy overhead environments, but it’s not particularly challenging – more an adventure than a technical test. For us, it’s a site that feels genuinely different from your typical reef dive.

Location
Poor Knights Islands, New Zealand, Australasia
Coordinates
-35.732900, 174.557800
Type
cave

Marine Protected Area: Bream 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 Gut

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 Gut

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