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Old Wharf

Located just an 8-minute drive from Daves Diving Kaikoura, behind the historic Fyffe House, you'll find an exceptional dive site in the crystal-clear waters of New Zealand. The entry/exit point is conveniently situated at the old boat ramp, although caution is advised as boats frequently launch from the nearby beach. Look out for the unmistakable yellow 'No Fishing' Buoy, serving as a surface swim reference.

This dive spot boasts a rocky reef that provides the perfect climate for a variety of marine life. Native Blue Moki thrive in these waters, while reef octopuses are a common sight. Prepare to be amazed by the abundance of crayfish in the area.

Formerly a bustling wharf for unloading goods, this site, located at Jimmy Armers Beach, has been transformed into a local Rahui, flourishing with an array of captivating sealife. This makes it an ideal location for beginners to encounter a diverse range of native coastal fish and perhaps catch a glimpse of an elusive octopus or two!

Diving Conditions Score for Old Wharf

3
Poor

Poor conditions, not recommended.
The score is based on a calculation of the current weather and sea conditions.

Dive Site Overview for Old Wharf

Depth

8m

Visibility

3m

Experience Level

beginner

Weather Conditions for Old Wharf

Wave Height

3.12m

Wind Speed

16.8 m/s

Water Temp

11.3°C

Visibility

300m

Cloud Cover

100%

Wave Period

8.1s

Air Temperature

11.1°C

Precipitation

7.6 mm

Detailed 7-Day Diving Forecast for Old Wharf
Alpha

Dive Score Chart for Old Wharf

Best time to dive: 17:00 with score 3.6140000000000003/10. Water conditions: Waves 2.66m, Wind 5.1 m/s.Best night dive time: 20:00 with score 2.8673333333333333/10.

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

Sunrise at Old Wharf: 06:00
Sunset at Old Wharf: 18:00

Optimal diving conditions at Old Wharf 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: 3.6/10
Waves: 2.66m (8.85s), Wind: 5.1 m/s

🌙
Best Night
20:00

Score: 2.9/10
Waves: 2.64m, Wind: 10.9 m/s

Seasonal Analysis for Old Wharf
Alpha

Historical patterns and best seasons for diving at Old Wharf

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 Old Wharf

Summer

Avg. Score: 8.1/10

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

Best Months for Old Wharf

June
Score: 8.1
July
Score: 8.1
August
Score: 8.0

Ideal Conditions for Old Wharf

Water Temp

Thermometer Emoji

14.1°C / 57.4°F

January

Visibility

Telescope Emoji

17.2m / 56.4ft

January

Wave Height

Wave Emoji

0.5m / 1.6ft

January

Wave Period

Wave Emoji

8.0s

January

Seasonal Insights for Old Wharf

Old Wharf follows southern hemisphere patterns with January being the warmest month (14.1°C) and July the coldest (8.3°C). The calmest conditions typically occur in January with average wave heights of 0.5m 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.

Scoring Legend:
9-10 (Excellent)
7-8 (Good)
5-6 (Average)
3-4 (Poor)
1-2 (Dangerous)

Last updated: 1 min. ago - Jul 7, 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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