Matauri Bay
Located on the Northern side of the peninsular and accessed through the campground, Matauri Bay is a premier dive site perfect for both beginner and advanced divers. With its sloping stony beach that descends to a maximum depth of 10m, this classic Kiwi shore dive offers a dynamic reef structure teeming with life. Explore the varied reef, sandy patches, and kelp forests that define this underwater paradise in New Zealand's Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Community.
Matauri Bay boasts excellent visibility, reaching up to 9m, allowing divers to fully appreciate the stunning marine ecosystem it harbors. Prepare to encounter an array of captivating species, including Snapper, Blue Maomao, and kingfish chasing Koheru. Night dives reveal the common presence of squids, adding an extra level of excitement to your underwater adventure.
Immerse yourself in the captivating waters of Matauri Bay, where the rich biodiversity and scenic beauty make it a must-visit dive destination in Northland, New Zealand. Plan your diving expedition conveniently close to Matauri Bay Holiday Park, located on Matauri Bay Road.
Matauri Bay boasts excellent visibility, reaching up to 9m, allowing divers to fully appreciate the stunning marine ecosystem it harbors. Prepare to encounter an array of captivating species, including Snapper, Blue Maomao, and kingfish chasing Koheru. Night dives reveal the common presence of squids, adding an extra level of excitement to your underwater adventure.
Immerse yourself in the captivating waters of Matauri Bay, where the rich biodiversity and scenic beauty make it a must-visit dive destination in Northland, New Zealand. Plan your diving expedition conveniently close to Matauri Bay Holiday Park, located on Matauri Bay Road.
Diving Conditions Score for Matauri Bay
4.7
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 Matauri Bay
Depth
10m
Visibility
9m
Experience Level
beginner
advanced
Weather Conditions for Matauri Bay
Wave Height
0.62m
Wind Speed
26.3 m/s
Water Temp
16.9°C
Visibility
7.18km
Cloud Cover
81%
Wave Period
5.35s
Air Temperature
9.6°C
Precipitation
0.3 mm
Detailed 7-Day Diving Forecast for Matauri Bay
Alpha
Dive Score Chart for Matauri Bay
Best time to dive: 9:00 with score 7.118092063492064/10. Water conditions: Waves 0.58m, Wind 21.1 m/s.Best night dive time: 21:00 with score 6.638944444444445/10.
Chart showing hourly dive conditions including wave height, wind speed, water temperature, and visibility throughout the day.
Sunrise at Matauri Bay: 06:00
Sunset at Matauri Bay: 18:00
Optimal diving conditions at Matauri 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
9:00Score: 7.1/10
Waves: 0.58m (5.25s), Wind: 21.1 m/s
Safest Overall
8:00Score: 7.1/10
Waves: 0.6m (5.25s), Wind: 27.9 m/s
Best Night
21:00Score: 6.6/10
Waves: 0.5m, Wind: 22.4 m/s
Seasonal Analysis for Matauri BayAlpha
Historical patterns and best seasons for diving at Matauri 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 Matauri Bay
Summer
Avg. Score: 7.9/10
Summer offers the warmest water temperatures and generally favorable conditions for all levels of divers.
Best Months for Matauri Bay
July
Score: 8.0
June
Score: 7.8
August
Score: 7.8
Ideal Conditions for Matauri Bay
Water Temp
18.3°C / 64.9°F
February
Visibility
13.6m / 44.6ft
December
Wave Height
1.2m / 3.9ft
December
Wave Period
8.0s
January
Seasonal Insights for Matauri Bay
Matauri Bay follows southern hemisphere patterns with February being the warmest month (18.3°C) and September the coldest (12.0°C). The calmest conditions typically occur in December with average wave heights of 1.2m 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 0.3mm 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.
Last updated: 1 min. ago - Jun 25, 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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