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Blue Maomao Arch (Bay of Islands)

Located in a picturesque and secluded bay, this dive site is surrounded by rocky reefs. A notable feature of this site is the shallow arch, which sits at a depth of less than 5 meters, offering an exciting opportunity for exploration. As you navigate along the contours of the seabed, you will gradually descend to depths exceeding 30 meters, revealing an abundance of boulders as well as hidden corners and crevices.

The underwater landscape of this site is primarily characterized by a kelp-covered bottom, occasionally interspersed with Kina barrens. Here, you can witness the synchronized movements of various schooling fish species, such as the vibrant blue maomao, elegant stingrays, and other iconic aquatic inhabitants native to the waters of New Zealand.

With a visibility range of up to 19 meters and a maximum depth of 21 meters, this dive site is suitable for divers of all levels, from beginners to more experienced enthusiasts seeking an unforgettable underwater adventure. Conveniently situated in Northland, New Zealand, this site offers easy access for those exploring the surrounding region.

Diving Conditions Score for Blue Maomao Arch (Bay of Islands)

5.6
Average

Average conditions, be alert.
The score is based on a calculation of the current weather and sea conditions.

Dive Site Overview for Blue Maomao Arch (Bay of Islands)

Depth

21m

Visibility

19m

Experience Level

beginner
advanced

Weather Conditions for Blue Maomao Arch (Bay of Islands)

Wave Height

0.86m

Wind Speed

7 m/s

Water Temp

18.7°C

Visibility

42.22km

Cloud Cover

5%

Wave Period

8.8s

Air Temperature

16.9°C

Precipitation

0 mm

Detailed 7-Day Diving Forecast for Blue Maomao Arch (Bay of Islands)
Alpha

Dive Score Chart for Blue Maomao Arch (Bay of Islands)

Best time to dive: 11:00 with score 7.964427118644068/10. Water conditions: Waves 0.72m, Wind 5.7 m/s.Best night dive time: 0:00 with score 7.142166666666666/10.

Chart showing hourly dive conditions including wave height, wind speed, water temperature, and visibility throughout the day.

Sunrise at Blue Maomao Arch (Bay of Islands): 06:00
Sunset at Blue Maomao Arch (Bay of Islands): 18:00

Optimal diving conditions at Blue Maomao Arch (Bay of Islands) are affected by daylight hours. Sunrise occurs at 06:00 and sunset at 18:00, which impacts visibility and water temperature for scuba diving and snorkeling.

🌞
Best Overall
11:00

Score: 8.0/10
Waves: 0.72m (8.85s), Wind: 5.7 m/s

🌙
Best Night
0:00

Score: 7.1/10
Waves: 0.88m, Wind: 6 m/s

Seasonal Analysis for Blue Maomao Arch (Bay of Islands)
Alpha

Historical patterns and best seasons for diving at Blue Maomao Arch (Bay of Islands)

The dive score combines all factors to rate overall diving conditions throughout the year. Higher scores indicate better diving conditions.

Monthly Dive Score Analysis - Seasonal Diving Conditions

Higher values indicate better diving conditions

Seasonal DiveScore Chart

This chart displays monthly diveScore data throughout the year, showing seasonal patterns. The data is presented as a bar chart with an overlaid line graph.Dive scores range from 1 to 10, with 10 being optimal conditions.

Higher values indicate better diving conditions

Best Season for Blue Maomao Arch (Bay of Islands)

Summer

Avg. Score: 7.9/10

Summer offers the warmest water temperatures and generally favorable conditions for all levels of divers.

Best Months for Blue Maomao Arch (Bay of Islands)

July
Score: 8.0
June
Score: 7.8
August
Score: 7.8

Ideal Conditions for Blue Maomao Arch (Bay of Islands)

Water Temp

Thermometer Emoji

18.7°C / 65.7°F

February

Visibility

Telescope Emoji

12.8m / 42.0ft

December

Wave Height

Wave Emoji

1.4m / 4.6ft

December

Wave Period

Wave Emoji

8.0s

January

Seasonal Insights for Blue Maomao Arch (Bay of Islands)

Blue Maomao Arch (Bay of Islands) follows southern hemisphere patterns with February being the warmest month (18.7°C) and September the coldest (12.4°C). The calmest conditions typically occur in December with average wave heights of 1.4m and wave periods of 8.0s. The most comfortable wave conditions are in December with a low wave steepness ratio, creating gentler swells. January offers the longest wave periods (8.0s), creating more comfortable and predictable conditions for boat entries and exits. Ocean currents are slowest in January (0.5m/s) and strongest in January (0.5m/s). January is usually the driest month with 0.2mm of precipitation. For beginners, the best time to visit would be during December to February, when ocean conditions are calmer with long-period waves and currents are typically weaker. Experienced divers might enjoy the challenges and potentially better visibility during the shoulder seasons, with moderate currents that can improve marine life encounters.

Scoring Legend:
9-10 (Excellent)
7-8 (Good)
5-6 (Average)
3-4 (Poor)
1-2 (Dangerous)

Last updated: 1 min. ago - May 29, 2026

Note: This dive site is not a verified dive site. Please dive with caution. This dive site might have incorrect information by the community.

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