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HMNZS Moa (Wreck)

The HMNZS Moa, a New Zealand Navy Minesweeper from WWII, was purposely sunk by Japanese aircraft on 7 April 1943 while refueling in Tulagi Harbour. Tragically, 5 crew members lost their lives during the incident. Located in Tulagi Harbour, this dive site poses challenges to visibility due to the presence of estuaries and mudflats in the area.

Divers exploring this site will encounter an abundance of marine life, including schools of juvenile trevally, mangrove Jacks, and batfish. Additionally, Lionfish can be found throughout the wreck, adding to the diversity of species.

To enjoy the best diving experience, it is recommended to dive during slack or incoming tides. Depths at this site range from 35m to 42m, with a maximum depth of 41m. It is important to note that this dive is best suited for advanced divers.

Located in the stunning Solomon Islands, near Tulagi in the Central Province, the HMNZS Moa dive site offers a unique and unforgettable underwater adventure.

Diving Conditions Score for HMNZS Moa (Wreck)

7.5
Good

Good diving conditions!
The score is based on a calculation of the current weather and sea conditions.

Dive Site Overview for HMNZS Moa (Wreck)

Depth

41m

Visibility

8m

Experience Level

advanced

Weather Conditions for HMNZS Moa (Wreck)

Wave Height

0.86m

Wind Speed

16.3 m/s

Water Temp

29.6°C

Visibility

36.68km

Cloud Cover

96%

Wave Period

4.25s

Air Temperature

27°C

Precipitation

0 mm

Detailed 7-Day Diving Forecast for HMNZS Moa (Wreck)
Alpha

Dive Score Chart for HMNZS Moa (Wreck)

Best time to dive: 17:00 with score 7.59/10. Water conditions: Waves 0.78m, Wind 16.4 m/s.Best night dive time: 20:00 with score 7.153933333333334/10.

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

Sunrise at HMNZS Moa (Wreck): 06:00
Sunset at HMNZS Moa (Wreck): 18:00

Optimal diving conditions at HMNZS Moa (Wreck) 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: 7.6/10
Waves: 0.78m (4.2s), Wind: 16.4 m/s

🌙
Best Night
20:00

Score: 7.2/10
Waves: 0.7m, Wind: 15.2 m/s

Seasonal Analysis for HMNZS Moa (Wreck)
Alpha

Historical patterns and best seasons for diving at HMNZS Moa (Wreck)

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 HMNZS Moa (Wreck)

Summer

Avg. Score: 9.8/10

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

Best Months for HMNZS Moa (Wreck)

July
Score: 10.0
May
Score: 9.8
June
Score: 9.7

Ideal Conditions for HMNZS Moa (Wreck)

Water Temp

Thermometer Emoji

27.0°C / 80.6°F

May

Visibility

Telescope Emoji

12.0m / 39.4ft

October

Wave Height

Wave Emoji

0.9m / 3.0ft

December

Wave Period

Wave Emoji

8.0s

January

Seasonal Insights for HMNZS Moa (Wreck)

HMNZS Moa (Wreck) follows southern hemisphere patterns with July being the warmest month (27.1°C) and December the coldest (23.1°C). The calmest conditions typically occur in December with average wave heights of 0.9m 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). July is usually the driest month with 1.0mm 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 19, 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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