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Cathedral Cave

Cathedral Cave is a breathtaking sea cave located in New Zealand's Bay of Islands-Whangaroa region. This large cave, open at the surface, boasts stunning walls that drop to a depth of 30m at the entrance, expanding to an impressive 55m further out. Divers will be captivated by the diverse marine life that calls this cave home.

One of the main attractions of Cathedral Cave is the abundance of nudibranchs, making it a paradise for these colorful creatures. Additionally, a wide variety of fascinating invertebrates can be found here. As you venture towards the back of the cave, keep an eye out for intriguing stingrays and elusive moray eels. Near the cave's exterior, you'll encounter vibrant reef fish and occasionally, pelagic species.

Admire the cave's walls adorned with a mesmerizing display of vibrant sponges and other invertebrates. Along the opposite wall, where depths reach a shallow 9m, you'll often spot majestic stingrays gracefully gliding through the darkness. As you make your way back, take advantage of the sheltered areas for decompression and safety stops. Don't miss exploring the corner of the walls, where the presence of a mild current attracts an array of fish, including pelagic species and even sharks.

With a visibility of 14m and a maximum depth of 23m, Cathedral Cave presents a thrilling opportunity for advanced divers to explore its wonders. If you're seeking an unforgettable diving experience in New Zealand, be sure to add Cathedral Cave to your diving itinerary. Enhance your underwater adventures with nearby attractions like the Hole in the Rock, Cape Brett Track, and the enchanting Rawhiti area.

Diving Conditions Score for Cathedral Cave

4.2
Below Average

Challenging conditions, for experienced divers only.
The score is based on a calculation of the current weather and sea conditions.

Dive Site Overview for Cathedral Cave

Depth

23m

Visibility

14m

Experience Level

advanced

Weather Conditions for Cathedral Cave

Wave Height

2.92m

Wind Speed

39.2 m/s

Water Temp

18.9°C

Visibility

13.12km

Cloud Cover

100%

Wave Period

7.45s

Air Temperature

18.6°C

Precipitation

0.3 mm

Detailed 7-Day Diving Forecast for Cathedral Cave
Alpha

Dive Score Chart for Cathedral Cave

Best time to dive: 17:00 with score 4.483333333333333/10. Water conditions: Waves 4.1m, Wind 20.1 m/s.Best night dive time: 0:00 with score 4.046666666666667/10.

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

Sunrise at Cathedral Cave: 06:00
Sunset at Cathedral Cave: 18:00

Optimal diving conditions at Cathedral Cave 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
17:00

Score: 4.5/10
Waves: 4.1m (9.85s), Wind: 20.1 m/s

🌙
Best Night
0:00

Score: 4.0/10
Waves: 2.9m, Wind: 39.5 m/s

Seasonal Analysis for Cathedral Cave
Alpha

Historical patterns and best seasons for diving at Cathedral Cave

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 Cathedral Cave

Summer

Avg. Score: 7.9/10

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

Best Months for Cathedral Cave

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

Ideal Conditions for Cathedral Cave

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 Cathedral Cave

Cathedral Cave 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 - Jun 1, 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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