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Rainbow Warrior

Located just 10 minutes by boat from Matuari Bay in the enchanting Cavalli Islands of Northland, New Zealand, you will find an extraordinary dive site. Situated at GPS co-ordinates -34.974850, 173.935017 and resting at a depth of 26m on the sandy ocean floor, lies the ex-Greenpeace flagship, Rainbow Warrior. Transformed into a captivating artificial reef, this wreck is a haven for divers seeking an unforgettable underwater experience.

As you descend into the crystal-clear waters with a visibility of 16m, a vibrant world awaits you. The Rainbow Warrior is adorned with a kaleidoscope of colorful jewel anemones, accompanied by playful cleaner wrasse, two spotted demoiselles, snapper, leather jackets, Jason Nudibranchs, Crayfish, and pigfish. The variety of marine life surrounding this site will leave even the most seasoned divers in awe.

To fully appreciate this remarkable dive, it is recommended to use Nitrox 36% for optimal gas mix. However, divers often choose the safer option of Nitrox 32% in case access to the wreck becomes challenging due to sea conditions, and they need to use the gas on another dive site. With Nitrox 32%, divers can anticipate a rewarding 45-minute dive, while air (21% oxygen) can still be used, although dive time will be significantly reduced. Begin your adventure by exploring the sand line, where an intriguing cleaning station amid the metallic debris awaits. From there, ascend to the deck levels to catch glimpses into the ship's interior. Please note that penetrating the ship is not recommended due to its condition.

This captivating dive site appeals to advanced divers looking to explore and discover the wonders of the Rainbow Warrior. With a maximum depth of 24m, this underwater gem provides an exhilarating experience that showcases the beauty of New Zealand's marine ecosystem.

Indulge yourself in this remarkable dive site off the coast of Northland, New Zealand. Discover the awe-inspiring Rainbow Warrior and immerse yourself in its vibrant underwater world.

Diving Conditions Score for Rainbow Warrior

4.8
Below Average

Challenging conditions, for experienced divers only.
The score is based on a calculation of the current weather and sea conditions.

Dive Site Overview for Rainbow Warrior

Depth

24m

Visibility

16m

Experience Level

advanced

Weather Conditions for Rainbow Warrior

Wave Height

0.94m

Wind Speed

26.6 m/s

Water Temp

16.5°C

Visibility

23.84km

Cloud Cover

48%

Wave Period

6.1s

Air Temperature

11.5°C

Precipitation

0.8 mm

Detailed 7-Day Diving Forecast for Rainbow Warrior
Alpha

Dive Score Chart for Rainbow Warrior

Best time to dive: 6:00 with score 6.370621693121693/10. Water conditions: Waves 0.92m, Wind 26.8 m/s.Best night dive time: 0:00 with score 6.633642105263157/10.

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

Sunrise at Rainbow Warrior : 06:00
Sunset at Rainbow Warrior : 18:00

Optimal diving conditions at Rainbow Warrior 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
0:00

Score: 6.6/10
Waves: 0.66m (9.5s), Wind: 14 m/s

🌞
Safest Overall
6:00

Score: 6.4/10
Waves: 0.92m (6.3s), Wind: 26.8 m/s

🌞
Best Day
6:00

Score: 6.4/10
Waves: 0.92m, Wind: 26.8 m/s

Seasonal Analysis for Rainbow Warrior
Alpha

Historical patterns and best seasons for diving at Rainbow Warrior

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 Rainbow Warrior

Summer

Avg. Score: 8.4/10

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

Best Months for Rainbow Warrior

July
Score: 8.5
August
Score: 8.4
June
Score: 8.3

Ideal Conditions for Rainbow Warrior

Water Temp

Thermometer Emoji

18.3°C / 64.9°F

February

Visibility

Telescope Emoji

13.5m / 44.3ft

December

Wave Height

Wave Emoji

1.2m / 3.9ft

December

Wave Period

Wave Emoji

8.0s

January

Seasonal Insights for Rainbow Warrior

Rainbow Warrior 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 0.1mm 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 - Jul 9, 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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