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Southern Arch

Southern Arch is an awe-inspiring dive site located in Northland, New Zealand. This impressive archway rises over 40m above the surface, with steep and vertical sides that drop to just 10m at the northern end and slope to 40m or more at the southern end. Divers with advanced or expert level experience will find this site particularly thrilling.

One notable feature of Southern Arch is the presence of strong currents, which can create an exhilarating diving experience. These currents also attract large schools of fish, providing divers with a captivating underwater spectacle. The walls of the arch are teeming with vibrant invertebrates, creating a stunning backdrop for underwater exploration. Divers may even be lucky enough to spot nudibranchs during their dive.

With a visibility of 15m and a maximum depth of 16m, Southern Arch offers divers the opportunity to explore its fascinating underwater world. Its proximity to Northland, New Zealand makes it easily accessible for both local and international divers seeking an unforgettable diving adventure.

Experience the thrill of diving in Southern Arch and immerse yourself in the beauty of New Zealand's underwater wonders.

Diving Conditions Score for Southern Arch

4.2
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 Southern Arch

Depth

16m

Visibility

15m

Experience Level

advanced
expert

Weather Conditions for Southern Arch

Wave Height

2.1m

Wind Speed

41.8 m/s

Water Temp

17.3°C

Visibility

41.52km

Cloud Cover

2%

Wave Period

6.65s

Air Temperature

15.4°C

Precipitation

0 mm

Detailed 7-Day Diving Forecast for Southern Arch
Alpha

Dive Score Chart for Southern Arch

Best time to dive: 6:00 with score 5.249933333333333/10. Water conditions: Waves 1.68m, Wind 29.3 m/s.Best night dive time: 0:00 with score 5.0515333333333325/10.

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

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

Optimal diving conditions at Southern 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
6:00

Score: 5.2/10
Waves: 1.68m (7.75s), Wind: 29.3 m/s

🌙
Best Night
0:00

Score: 5.1/10
Waves: 1.68m, Wind: 16.5 m/s

Seasonal Analysis for Southern Arch
Alpha

Historical patterns and best seasons for diving at Southern 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 Southern 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 Southern Arch

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

Ideal Conditions for Southern Arch

Water Temp

Thermometer Emoji

18.4°C / 65.1°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 Southern Arch

Southern Arch follows southern hemisphere patterns with March being the warmest month (18.4°C) and October the coldest (12.6°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 - Jul 5, 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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