Skip to content
Go to Dive Champ home pageDive Champ LogoDive Champ

The Dog

The Dog is a captivating drift dive on the western side of the island, rich with vibrant marine life and stunning underwater scenery. Divers will encounter a strong current that gracefully sweeps them along a colorful wall adorned with an array of gorgonians and a striking black coral tree. With a depth ranging from 30-40m, this dive site is ideal for advanced and expert divers seeking a thrilling underwater adventure.

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

5.7
Average

Average conditions, be alert.
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

advanced
expert

Weather Conditions for The Dog

Wave Height

0.5m

Wind Speed

12 m/s

Water Temp

17.8°C

Visibility

42.2km

Cloud Cover

97%

Wave Period

8.15s

Air Temperature

15.8°C

Precipitation

0 mm

Detailed 7-Day Diving Forecast for The Dog
Alpha

Dive Score Chart for The Dog

Best time to dive: 12:00 with score 7.606382352941177/10. Water conditions: Waves 0.64m, Wind 9.1 m/s.Best night dive time: 21:00 with score 7.242775138121547/10.

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

Sunrise at The Dog: 06:00
Sunset at The Dog: 18:00

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.

🌞
Best Overall
12:00

Score: 7.6/10
Waves: 0.64m (6.8s), Wind: 9.1 m/s

🌙
Best Night
21:00

Score: 7.2/10
Waves: 0.46m, Wind: 10.2 m/s

Seasonal Analysis for The Dog
Alpha

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

Avg. Score: 9.8/10

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

Best Months for The Dog

July
Score: 9.9
June
Score: 9.8
August
Score: 9.7

Ideal Conditions for The Dog

Water Temp

Thermometer Emoji

23.5°C / 74.3°F

June

Visibility

Telescope Emoji

20.1m / 65.9ft

October

Wave Height

Wave Emoji

0.2m / 0.7ft

January

Wave Period

Wave Emoji

8.0s

January

Seasonal Insights for The Dog

The Dog follows southern hemisphere patterns with June being the warmest month (23.5°C) and December the coldest (19.5°C). The calmest conditions typically occur in January with average wave heights of 0.2m 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 - Jun 21, 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.

50 Dive sites near The Dog in

Find more dive sites in New Zealand

New ZealandNew Zealand

New Zealand

Got feedback?

Help us improve this dive site by giving us feedback.