The Dog
Located in New Zealand's Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Community, near Rawhiti and the Cape Brett Track, The Dog offers an exceptional diving experience. The crystal-clear visibility, reaching an impressive 50m, allows divers to fully appreciate the awe-inspiring marine environment surrounding them.
The abundance of marine species attracted by the strong current includes schools of Trevally, Kahawai, Sweep, and pelagic fish. Divers may also have the opportunity to encounter magnificent Splendid Perch and even graceful Sharks.
For divers craving an unforgettable underwater exploration, The Dog is a must-visit dive site known for its exhilarating currents, stunning wall formations, and diverse marine life. Embark on a memorable diving adventure in the waters of New Zealand's Far North District.
Diving Conditions Score for The Dog
Challenging conditions, for experienced divers only.
The score is based on a calculation of the current weather and sea conditions.
Dive Site Overview for The Dog
Depth
42m
Visibility
50m
Experience Level
Weather Conditions for The Dog
Wave Height
0.92m
Wind Speed
22.2 m/s
Water Temp
16.8°C
Visibility
10.82km
Cloud Cover
42%
Wave Period
5.55s
Air Temperature
15.7°C
Precipitation
0.2 mm
Dive Score Chart for The Dog
Best time to dive: 6:00 with score 6.466142622950819/10. Water conditions: Waves 0.86m, Wind 20.5 m/s.Best night dive time: 3:00 with score 6.126161538461538/10.
Chart showing hourly dive conditions including wave height, wind speed, water temperature, and visibility throughout the day.
Optimal diving conditions at The Dog 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.
Score: 6.5/10
Waves: 0.86m (6.1s), Wind: 20.5 m/s
Score: 6.1/10
Waves: 0.84m, Wind: 20.1 m/s
Seasonal Analysis for The DogAlpha
Historical patterns and best seasons for diving at The Dog
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 The Dog
Summer
Summer offers the warmest water temperatures and generally favorable conditions for all levels of divers.
Best Months for The Dog
Ideal Conditions for The Dog
Water Temp
18.7°C / 65.7°F
February
Visibility
12.8m / 42.0ft
December
Wave Height
1.4m / 4.6ft
December
Wave Period
8.0s
January
Seasonal Insights for The Dog
The Dog follows southern hemisphere patterns with February being the warmest month (18.7°C) and September the coldest (12.4°C). The calmest conditions typically occur in December with average wave heights of 1.4m 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 0.2mm 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 13, 2026