Explore Warkworth

Warkworth, a town on the Northland Peninsula of the North Island, offers dive charters to some of the best dive locations in New Zealand. While scuba diving in Warkworth it is possible to explore several marine reserves including the Poor Knights Islands – noted by Jacques Costeau as one of the top 10 dive sites in the world – as well as several wrecks. Impenetrable walls of schooling fish, manta rays, hammerhead sharks as well as orca can be witnessed!

Warkworth diving is possible from the only dive centre in the area, which offers charters and liveaboards to a wide variety of locations in New Zealand. The dive centre offers dive courses to novices as well as experienced professionals, training everyone including sports and technical divers.

Top Dive Sites Map

★★★★☆ Jones Bay

Jones Bay is fantastic for learning to dive. It has a sandy sloping bottom with plenty of shellfish. There is also a significant reef structure that provides shelter from the current.

2,383
Logs
844
Divers
7.0 m
⌀ Depth
5.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares, Predrag Vuckovic

★★★★☆ Flat Rock

Flat Rock is known for lots of BIG fish, deep canyons and lots of current! The reef itself is very bouldery and has big swim-throughs that can hold lots of fish life. It is a wicked dive but the current can be unexpected and changeable.

84
Logs
53
Divers
16.0 m
⌀ Depth
12.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares

★★★★☆ Fairchild Reef

Best dived with no wind or easterly swell. Visibility often poor. Be aware of large amount of boat traffic in summer. Depth ranges between 5-22 meters.

11
Logs
9
Divers
13.0 m
⌀ Depth
6.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares

★★★★☆ Elephant Point

Exposed to easterly swells and southerly winds. Some current away from the rocks. Depth ranges from 5-25 meters. Ideal for boat dive, just a short trip 15 minute trip from Sandspit Marina

10
Logs
9
Divers
19.0 m
⌀ Depth
7.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares, Janez Kranjc

★★★★☆ Tawharanui

Tawharanui Marine Reserve is a great dive site. The reserve stretches from along the surf beach to Takatu Point. It varies in depth with the best diving being in the 10 - 15m mark.

136
Logs
67
Divers
12.0 m
⌀ Depth
6.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares

★★★★☆ Takatu Point

Takatu Point has a great selection of terrain for all divers. The proximity of Tawharanui Marine Reserve makes the marine life there plentiful. The site slopes from 4m in the shallows to 25m+ further from the headland.

26
Logs
18
Divers
16.0 m
⌀ Depth
9.0 m
⌀ Visibility

Diving in Warkworth

While Warkworth diving, delve into New Zealand’s first marine reserve, Goat Island, which is ideal for novice divers and a site where try dives and dive courses are often held. On Hauraki Gulf, visit the kelp forests and sub-tropical environment of Little Barrier and Great Barrier Island in search of hammerhead sharks while there are some incredible wreck dives found at Great Barrier Island as well as close by to the Poor Knights Islands. Sites such as Sail Rock on the Hen and Chicken Islands are ideal for technical divers who want to head deeper.

The best Months to Dive in Warkworth

Warkworth is located in the North Island which is New Zealand’s warmest region and has two distinct seasons underwater. In the summer, between November and April, the water temperature can reach 20°C–23°C/68°F–73°F yet visibility is at its lowest due to plankton blooms. However, it is the best time to see stingrays and orca. In the winter, between May and September, the water temperature drops to 14°C–16°C/57°F–61°F and the visibility improves, reaching 30 meters/98 feet. If you plan to witness hammerhead sharks in the Hauraki Gulf, dive from mid-January to March.

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Centers Map

NEW ZEALAND DIVING

Unit 2, 9/23 Morrison Drive, 0910 Warkworth, NZL