Ti Point Wharf - Poor Knights Islands

Diving Bikini Atoll isn't just about seeing big wrecks, it's about feeling the weight of history. We love the sheer scale of the USS Saratoga, an aircraft carrier sitting upright, its flight deck now a massive flat plain at 28 meters. Dropping into her colossal hangar bays, you almost expect to see planes still chained down. The HIJMS Nagato, Admiral Yamamoto's flagship, is another beast entirely, though she’s capsized; her enormous props are still a sight, encrusted with soft corals. The real magic here is the contrast: these steel giants, sunk by atomic tests, are now thriving artificial reefs. Barracuda patrol the bridges, and we’ve seen schools of fusiliers so thick they block the light in the hangars. Visibility in the lagoon is usually incredible, often 30 meters plus, which helps with the depths. You'll need solid deep diving experience and advanced nitrox for this trip; it's serious wreck diving, not for the casual visitor. For those who make the journey, it’s an unparalleled dive into a truly unique, somber, and beautiful underwater museum.

Location
Poor Knights Islands, New Zealand, Australasia
Coordinates
-36.316800, 174.784000
Type
wreck

Wreck History - Ti Point Wharf

Year Sunk
1946
Vessel Type
warship
Cause
scuttled

Bikini Atoll is not a single wreck, but an entire ghost fleet of warships resting on the floor of a remote Pacific lagoon. This naval graveyard is the result of Operation Crossroads, a series of nuclear weapon tests conducted by the United States in 1946. To study the effects of atomic bombs on naval vessels, the US assembled a target fleet of more than 90 surplus American, German, and Japanese warships. After the local inhabitants were forcibly relocated, two atomic bombs were detonated, sending many of these legendary ships to the bottom.

For experienced technical divers, Bikini Atoll is the ultimate wreck diving destination. The fleet includes some of the most famous warships in history, preserved in the deep, clear waters of the lagoon. Divers can explore the colossal USS Saratoga, an aircraft carrier so large it's impossible to see in a single dive, with Hellcat fighters still in its hangars. Nearby lies the HIJMS Nagato, the flagship of Admiral Yamamoto from which he commanded the attack on Pearl Harbor. Other wrecks include cruisers, destroyers, and submarines, all bearing the scars of the atomic blasts.

Diving here is a serious undertaking, requiring technical certifications and careful planning due to the depth, remote location, and residual radiation (which is safe for limited dive times). The reward is a surreal journey back in time, exploring a powerful moment in world history. The wrecks are monumental, eerie, and largely intact, offering a diving experience that is truly without equal anywhere on Earth.

Marine Protected Area: Cape Rodney-Okakari Point

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 Ti Point Wharf

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 Ti Point Wharf

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