Dolphin Garden
Protected Area
Kia
Why dive here
With 391+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda, blacktip reef sharks, grey reef sharks, humpback whales and orcas - Dolphin Garden offers some of Iron Bottom Sound's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 29-31°C, warmest January, April, December.
Dolphin Garden, just off Papatura Ite, is a very pleasant way to spend an hour underwater. The reef stretches out from the island, reaching a comfortable maximum depth of 20 metres, making it a good choice for those newer to diving or anyone looking for a relaxed bimble. You'll glide over a changing landscape of soft and hard corals, finding rays tucked into the sand and plenty of reef fish, including some impressively large humphead wrasse cruising by. Visibility averages around 14 metres. It’s a site we’ve often broken into two separate dives, each offering a slightly different feel as you explore the reef's length.
Safety Notes
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
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Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Dolphin Garden
Dolphin Garden Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for Dolphin Garden, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (-9.03, 159.16) (58km away)
October Averages
Sea Temperature
30°C
85°F · Range: 28.7–30.5°C
Air Temperature
27°C
80°F
Wind Speed
3.74 m/s
7.3 knots
Atmospheric Pressure
1010.5 hPa
Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data
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