Marakura Bay
Marakura Bay is a popular dive site located at the southern tip of Te Anau township in New Zealand. With its easily accessible shore entry, divers of all levels, from beginners to advanced, can enjoy exploring the underwater wonders it offers.
The bay features a stoney shoreline that gradually slopes down into the water, allowing for a leisurely descent. As you swim further, the slope becomes steeper, leading to an exciting drop-off point just a short distance from the shore. Divers can reach depths of up to 20m in this area, providing ample opportunity to discover the hidden treasures beneath the surface.
One notable attraction at Marakura Bay is the presence of small Koura freshwater crayfish that can be found scattered throughout the site. While the silty bottom limits the diversity of marine life, there are still sightings of small freshwater sponges and freshwater mussels, enhancing the underwater experience.
Visibility at Marakura Bay typically reaches up to 4m, ensuring clear views of the fascinating underwater landscape. The maximum depth of the dive site is around 13m, making it suitable for both novice and experienced divers to explore and enjoy.
Located at 96, Manapouri Te Anau Highway, Te Anau, Fiordland Community, Southland District, Southland, 9460, New Zealand, Marakura Bay is conveniently situated near the township, allowing for easy access to amenities and services for divers.
Experience the wonders of Marakura Bay - a remarkable dive site enriched with natural beauty and captivating aquatic life. Plan your dive adventure today and immerse yourself in the marvels that await beneath the pristine waters of New Zealand.
The bay features a stoney shoreline that gradually slopes down into the water, allowing for a leisurely descent. As you swim further, the slope becomes steeper, leading to an exciting drop-off point just a short distance from the shore. Divers can reach depths of up to 20m in this area, providing ample opportunity to discover the hidden treasures beneath the surface.
One notable attraction at Marakura Bay is the presence of small Koura freshwater crayfish that can be found scattered throughout the site. While the silty bottom limits the diversity of marine life, there are still sightings of small freshwater sponges and freshwater mussels, enhancing the underwater experience.
Visibility at Marakura Bay typically reaches up to 4m, ensuring clear views of the fascinating underwater landscape. The maximum depth of the dive site is around 13m, making it suitable for both novice and experienced divers to explore and enjoy.
Located at 96, Manapouri Te Anau Highway, Te Anau, Fiordland Community, Southland District, Southland, 9460, New Zealand, Marakura Bay is conveniently situated near the township, allowing for easy access to amenities and services for divers.
Experience the wonders of Marakura Bay - a remarkable dive site enriched with natural beauty and captivating aquatic life. Plan your dive adventure today and immerse yourself in the marvels that await beneath the pristine waters of New Zealand.
Diving Conditions Score for Marakura Bay
4.8
Below AverageChallenging conditions, for experienced divers only.
The score is based on a calculation of the current weather and sea conditions.
Dive Site Overview for Marakura Bay
Depth
13m
Visibility
4m
Experience Level
beginner
advanced
Weather Conditions for Marakura Bay
Wave Height
1m
Wind Speed
6.5 m/s
Water Temp
18°C
Visibility
300m
Cloud Cover
70%
Wave Period
8s
Air Temperature
5.1°C
Precipitation
0 mm
Detailed 7-Day Diving Forecast for Marakura Bay
Alpha
Dive Score Chart for Marakura Bay
Best time to dive: 7:00 with score 7.501533333333333/10. Water conditions: Waves 1m, Wind 0.9 m/s.Best night dive time: 5:00 with score 6.721633333333332/10.
Chart showing hourly dive conditions including wave height, wind speed, water temperature, and visibility throughout the day.
Sunrise at Marakura Bay: 06:00
Sunset at Marakura Bay: 18:00
Optimal diving conditions at Marakura Bay 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
7:00Score: 7.5/10
Waves: 1m (8s), Wind: 0.9 m/s
Best Night
5:00Score: 6.7/10
Waves: 1m, Wind: 3.6 m/s
Seasonal Analysis for Marakura BayAlpha
Historical patterns and best seasons for diving at Marakura Bay
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 Marakura Bay
Summer
Avg. Score: 9.8/10
Summer offers the warmest water temperatures and generally favorable conditions for all levels of divers.
Best Months for Marakura Bay
July
Score: 9.9
June
Score: 9.8
August
Score: 9.7
Ideal Conditions for Marakura Bay
Water Temp
24.5°C / 76.1°F
June
Visibility
20.1m / 65.9ft
October
Wave Height
0.2m / 0.7ft
January
Wave Period
8.0s
January
Seasonal Insights for Marakura Bay
Marakura Bay follows southern hemisphere patterns with June being the warmest month (24.5°C) and December the coldest (20.5°C). The calmest conditions typically occur in January with average wave heights of 0.2m and wave periods of 8.0s. The most comfortable wave conditions are in January 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 0.0mm of precipitation. For beginners, the best time to visit would be during January to March, 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.
Last updated: 1 min. ago - Jun 22, 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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