ROCKY BAY - GMI
Located on the eastern side of the Great Mercury Islands, this dive site offers a fantastic location for easy diving. In the middle of the bay, you'll find the deeper part with impressive kelpie reef systems, providing ample opportunities for exploration. With its standard kelpie rocky bottom and patches of white sand throughout, this site is teeming with a variety of fish and crayfish. It is also a popular spot for encountering rays and orcas. As a beginner or advanced diver, this site is suitable for both skill levels. Situated in New Zealand's Thames-Coromandel District in the Waikato region, this dive site is a must-visit for divers seeking an unforgettable underwater experience.
Diving Conditions Score for ROCKY BAY - GMI
4.6
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 ROCKY BAY - GMI
Experience Level
beginner
advanced
Weather Conditions for ROCKY BAY - GMI
Wave Height
1.6m
Wind Speed
31.2 m/s
Water Temp
15.9°C
Visibility
43.22km
Cloud Cover
98%
Wave Period
6.7s
Air Temperature
15.8°C
Precipitation
0 mm
Detailed 7-Day Diving Forecast for ROCKY BAY - GMI
Alpha
Dive Score Chart for ROCKY BAY - GMI
Best time to dive: 6:00 with score 5.765133333333334/10. Water conditions: Waves 1.54m, Wind 26.5 m/s.Best night dive time: 2:00 with score 5.286033333333333/10.
Chart showing hourly dive conditions including wave height, wind speed, water temperature, and visibility throughout the day.
Sunrise at ROCKY BAY - GMI: 06:00
Sunset at ROCKY BAY - GMI: 18:00
Optimal diving conditions at ROCKY BAY - GMI 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
6:00Score: 5.8/10
Waves: 1.54m (6.75s), Wind: 26.5 m/s
Best Night
2:00Score: 5.3/10
Waves: 1.52m, Wind: 21.4 m/s
Seasonal Analysis for ROCKY BAY - GMIAlpha
Historical patterns and best seasons for diving at ROCKY BAY - GMI
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 ROCKY BAY - GMI
Summer
Avg. Score: 7.9/10
Summer offers the warmest water temperatures and generally favorable conditions for all levels of divers.
Best Months for ROCKY BAY - GMI
July
Score: 8.0
June
Score: 7.8
August
Score: 7.8
Ideal Conditions for ROCKY BAY - GMI
Water Temp
18.3°C / 64.9°F
March
Visibility
11.9m / 39.0ft
May
Wave Height
1.8m / 5.9ft
December
Wave Period
8.0s
January
Seasonal Insights for ROCKY BAY - GMI
ROCKY BAY - GMI follows southern hemisphere patterns with March being the warmest month (18.3°C) and October the coldest (12.2°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). January 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.
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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