Wellington Reef
Protected Area
Kohatutara
Why dive here
With 79+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue sharks, dolphins, hammerhead sharks, humpback whales and orcas - Wellington Reef offers some of Poor Knights Islands's richest reef diving. Water ranges 15-22°C, warmest January, February, March.
Wellington Reef is a pleasant spot, perfect for easing into the Poor Knights experience, especially if you’re newer to diving or just want a relaxed session. It’s shallow, only going down to about 15 metres, which means plenty of light filters through, making the colours really pop. We often find good numbers of demoiselle, schooling up around the reef structure, and it’s a great place to spot some of the smaller reef fish like wrasse and gobies. It’s a comfortable, easy dive, a good way to shake off the travel before tackling some of the deeper sites.
Typical Wellington Reef Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.
Nearest Dive Centres to Wellington Reef
Dive shops near Wellington Reef
Auckland Scuba - Silverdale
NEW ZEALAND DIVING
GOAT ISLAND DIVE and SNORKEL
Reviews for Wellington Reef
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Wellington Reef
Wellington Reef Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for Wellington Reef, 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)
Plan & book
Ways to dive Poor Knights Islands, from day trips to liveaboards.
Day trips & courses
via GetYourGuideGuided dives, courses and snorkel trips with instant booking.
Find dive trips in Poor Knights IslandsPlaces to stay
via Booking.comHotels and dive resorts near Poor Knights Islands.
Search stays in Poor Knights IslandsDive insurance
Most travel insurance excludes or limits scuba. Check what you need before you go.
Dive insurance explainedPartner links: we may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you. How we make money
Where to Stay near Wellington Reef
Prices from Booking.com. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.