Melville Cove
Port Gore Dive Site, Marlborough Sounds, New Zealand
Discover the beauty of diving at the Port Gore Dive Site, situated in a sheltered bay in the picturesque Marlborough Sounds, New Zealand. This dive site is renowned as an ideal location for beginners and training dives, offering a safe and comfortable environment to explore underwater.
With a sandy bottom and a convenient mooring line in the centre, divers can venture to a maximum depth of 8 meters. The visibility at the Port Gore Dive Site ranges around 3 meters, providing a clear view of the underwater wonders. This makes it suitable for divers of all skill levels, particularly beginners seeking an immersive and memorable experience.
One of the highlights of this dive site is the diverse marine life it showcases. You'll encounter a wide variety of fish and marine species native to the Marlborough Sounds, such as Blue cod, hermit crabs, carpet sharks, stingrays, starfish, kina, and spotties. Whether you prefer day dives or wish to embark on a thrilling night dive, the Port Gore Dive Site promises an unforgettable encounter with these fascinating creatures.
Immerse yourself in the beauty of New Zealand's underwater world at the Port Gore Dive Site. Explore the crystal-clear waters of this captivating dive location and experience the awe-inspiring marine life that calls it home. Plan your next dive adventure in Port Gore and prepare to be amazed by the wonders that await you.
Discover the beauty of diving at the Port Gore Dive Site, situated in a sheltered bay in the picturesque Marlborough Sounds, New Zealand. This dive site is renowned as an ideal location for beginners and training dives, offering a safe and comfortable environment to explore underwater.
With a sandy bottom and a convenient mooring line in the centre, divers can venture to a maximum depth of 8 meters. The visibility at the Port Gore Dive Site ranges around 3 meters, providing a clear view of the underwater wonders. This makes it suitable for divers of all skill levels, particularly beginners seeking an immersive and memorable experience.
One of the highlights of this dive site is the diverse marine life it showcases. You'll encounter a wide variety of fish and marine species native to the Marlborough Sounds, such as Blue cod, hermit crabs, carpet sharks, stingrays, starfish, kina, and spotties. Whether you prefer day dives or wish to embark on a thrilling night dive, the Port Gore Dive Site promises an unforgettable encounter with these fascinating creatures.
Immerse yourself in the beauty of New Zealand's underwater world at the Port Gore Dive Site. Explore the crystal-clear waters of this captivating dive location and experience the awe-inspiring marine life that calls it home. Plan your next dive adventure in Port Gore and prepare to be amazed by the wonders that await you.
Diving Conditions Score for Melville Cove
4.1
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 Melville Cove
Depth
8m
Visibility
3m
Experience Level
beginner
Weather Conditions for Melville Cove
Wave Height
1.22m
Wind Speed
45.4 m/s
Water Temp
14°C
Visibility
10.22km
Cloud Cover
88%
Wave Period
5s
Air Temperature
15.5°C
Precipitation
0.4 mm
Detailed 7-Day Diving Forecast for Melville Cove
Alpha
Dive Score Chart for Melville Cove
Best time to dive: 17:00 with score 6.0540908045977/10. Water conditions: Waves 0.68m, Wind 15.2 m/s.Best night dive time: 20:00 with score 6.508362573099415/10.
Chart showing hourly dive conditions including wave height, wind speed, water temperature, and visibility throughout the day.
Sunrise at Melville Cove: 06:00
Sunset at Melville Cove: 18:00
Optimal diving conditions at Melville Cove 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
20:00Score: 6.5/10
Waves: 0.56m (5.7s), Wind: 8.9 m/s
Safest Overall
17:00Score: 6.1/10
Waves: 0.68m (5.8s), Wind: 15.2 m/s
Best Day
17:00Score: 6.1/10
Waves: 0.68m, Wind: 15.2 m/s
Seasonal Analysis for Melville CoveAlpha
Historical patterns and best seasons for diving at Melville Cove
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 Melville Cove
Summer
Avg. Score: 7.9/10
Summer offers the warmest water temperatures and generally favorable conditions for all levels of divers.
Best Months for Melville Cove
July
Score: 8.0
June
Score: 7.8
August
Score: 7.8
Ideal Conditions for Melville Cove
Water Temp
14.2°C / 57.6°F
January
Visibility
13.8m / 45.3ft
January
Wave Height
1.2m / 3.9ft
January
Wave Period
8.0s
January
Seasonal Insights for Melville Cove
Melville Cove follows southern hemisphere patterns with January being the warmest month (14.2°C) and September the coldest (9.1°C). The calmest conditions typically occur in January with average wave heights of 1.2m 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 20, 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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