Skip to content
Go to Dive Champ home pageDive Champ LogoDive Champ

Northern Arch

Northern Arch is a renowned dive site in New Zealand, known for its large pelagic species and interesting underwater structure. With a maximum depth of over 30m, the Arch offers divers the opportunity to explore fascinating formations on both sides, while the Northern side slopes away.

Divers can expect to encounter an array of marine life at Northern Arch, including Kingfish, Snapper, and abundant schools of Blue Maomao. Additionally, the site is frequented by seasonal visitors such as Whale Sharks, Turtles, and other tropical creatures, making it a must-visit destination for diving enthusiasts.

While this site is primarily suited for advanced and expert divers, confident snorkelers can also have an amazing time here. However, it is crucial for divers to remain extremely aware of their depth, as the temptation to follow the fish down can be strong. The top 10m of Northern Arch is particularly captivating, offering sightings of vibrant sponges, John Dory, Perch, and more.

The ease of spotting stingrays congregating is highest during the warmer months, adding another dimension to the site's allure. Moreover, the currents at Northern Arch attract Bronze Whalers, who occasionally glide through the waters.

Located near Ann's Rock / Astrid's Wall in Northland, New Zealand, Northern Arch offers a spectacular underwater experience. With a visibility of 17m and a maximum depth of 25m, it promises an unforgettable diving adventure for those who are qualified to explore its depths.

Diving Conditions Score for Northern Arch

6.3
Above Average

Decent conditions, proceed with caution.
The score is based on a calculation of the current weather and sea conditions.

Dive Site Overview for Northern Arch

Depth

25m

Visibility

17m

Experience Level

advanced
expert

Weather Conditions for Northern Arch

Wave Height

0.58m

Wind Speed

4.4 m/s

Water Temp

17.9°C

Visibility

46.42km

Cloud Cover

5%

Wave Period

7.85s

Air Temperature

15.7°C

Precipitation

0 mm

Detailed 7-Day Diving Forecast for Northern Arch
Alpha

Dive Score Chart for Northern Arch

Best time to dive: 11:00 with score 8.62799376114082/10. Water conditions: Waves 0.5m, Wind 3.5 m/s.Best night dive time: 4:00 with score 7.4546458598726115/10.

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

Sunrise at Northern Arch: 06:00
Sunset at Northern Arch: 18:00

Optimal diving conditions at Northern Arch 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
11:00

Score: 8.6/10
Waves: 0.5m (9.35s), Wind: 3.5 m/s

🌙
Best Night
4:00

Score: 7.5/10
Waves: 0.6m, Wind: 18.3 m/s

Seasonal Analysis for Northern Arch
Alpha

Historical patterns and best seasons for diving at Northern Arch

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 Northern Arch

Summer

Avg. Score: 7.9/10

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

Best Months for Northern Arch

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

Ideal Conditions for Northern Arch

Water Temp

Thermometer Emoji

18.7°C / 65.7°F

March

Visibility

Telescope Emoji

12.0m / 39.4ft

May

Wave Height

Wave Emoji

1.8m / 5.9ft

December

Wave Period

Wave Emoji

8.0s

January

Seasonal Insights for Northern Arch

Northern Arch follows southern hemisphere patterns with March being the warmest month (18.7°C) and October the coldest (12.9°C). The calmest conditions typically occur in December with average wave heights of 1.8m 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). May is usually the driest month with 0.0mm 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 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.

50 Dive sites near Northern Arch in

Find more dive sites in New Zealand

New ZealandNew Zealand

New Zealand

Got feedback?

Help us improve this dive site by giving us feedback.