The Golf ball/ Car Park
Here, you will encounter a variety of marine species commonly found in New Zealand's waters, along with abundant kelp. Notably, Waipapa Island is one of the few places where spotting blue moki is a regular occurrence, making it a unique and captivating diving destination.
On the opposite side of Boat Harbour, a striking rock formation resembling a golf ball perched atop a Tee marks the location of the Golf Ball dive site. Beneath it lies a remarkable reef system characterized by deep canyon cracks that extend away from the mainland. Divers are treated to awe-inspiring swim-throughs and engaging interactions with an array of fish species. The rocky boulder bottom adds to the enchanting underwater scenery.
With a visibility of 8 meters and a maximum depth of 13 meters, diving at Boat Harbour offers an ideal experience for both beginners and advanced divers. Its close proximity to Tairua, in the Thames-Coromandel District of Waikato, New Zealand, makes it easily accessible for diving enthusiasts.
Optimize your dive experience by exploring the wonders that await at Boat Harbour in New Zealand. Discover the incredible underwater world and immerse yourself in the beauty of Waipapa Island's surroundings. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced diver, this dive site promises an unforgettable adventure.
Diving Conditions Score for The Golf ball/ Car Park
Average conditions, be alert.
The score is based on a calculation of the current weather and sea conditions.
Dive Site Overview for The Golf ball/ Car Park
Depth
13m
Visibility
8m
Experience Level
Weather Conditions for The Golf ball/ Car Park
Wave Height
0.6m
Wind Speed
11.1 m/s
Water Temp
16.7°C
Visibility
10.3km
Cloud Cover
60%
Wave Period
9.65s
Air Temperature
14.4°C
Precipitation
0 mm
Dive Score Chart for The Golf ball/ Car Park
Best time to dive: 7:00 with score 7.602982456140351/10. Water conditions: Waves 0.58m, Wind 10 m/s.Best night dive time: 5:00 with score 7.213333333333333/10.
Chart showing hourly dive conditions including wave height, wind speed, water temperature, and visibility throughout the day.
Optimal diving conditions at The Golf ball/ Car Park 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: 7.6/10
Waves: 0.58m (9.5s), Wind: 10 m/s
Score: 7.2/10
Waves: 0.6m, Wind: 9 m/s
Seasonal Analysis for The Golf ball/ Car ParkAlpha
Historical patterns and best seasons for diving at The Golf ball/ Car Park
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 Golf ball/ Car Park
Summer
Summer offers the warmest water temperatures and generally favorable conditions for all levels of divers.
Best Months for The Golf ball/ Car Park
Ideal Conditions for The Golf ball/ Car Park
Water Temp
17.4°C / 63.3°F
February
Visibility
14.4m / 47.2ft
January
Wave Height
1.1m / 3.6ft
January
Wave Period
8.0s
January
Seasonal Insights for The Golf ball/ Car Park
The Golf ball/ Car Park follows southern hemisphere patterns with February being the warmest month (17.4°C) and September the coldest (11.0°C). The calmest conditions typically occur in January with average wave heights of 1.1m 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 0.1mm 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.
Last updated: 1 min. ago - Jun 20, 2026