

Best for beginner divers, 8-25m, shore entry, mild current.
Bream Head is a shore-entry reef and kelp forest dive located near Leigh and Goat Island. The site features a rocky structure ranging from 8 to 25 metres in depth. Divers encounter a variety of marine life, including the pot-bellied seahorse, common Sydney octopus, eagle ray, clown doris, wrasses, reef squid, sea hare, crab, knobbed triton, klipfish, goatfish, eleven-armed sea star, deepwater burrfish, and pink snapper. While currents are generally mild, the shore entry requires caution due to surf and sharp rocks. Water temperatures fluctuate between 15 and 22 degrees Celsius throughout the year. Visibility can vary significantly depending on swell and surge conditions.
-36.29120, 174.80912
Watch out for craypots when motoring around the Heads as there can be more than 30 at a time with small floats that are easy to miss.
Easily accessed from Whangarei Harbour.
Recorded at this site
Depth
8-25m
Skill Level
Beginner
Entry
Shore
Water Temp
15-22°C
Current
Mild
Typical Dive
55 min
Divers may encounter pot-bellied seahorses, common Sydney octopuses, eagle rays, clown doris, wrasses, reef squid, sea hares, crabs, knobbed tritons, klipfish, goatfish, eleven-armed sea stars, deepwater burrfish, and pink snapper.
Yes, the site is suitable for beginner divers, though the shore entry requires careful timing due to surf and sharp rocks.
The reef structure at this site ranges from 8 to 25 metres in depth.
Bream Head is a shore-entry site, though local advice suggests using a boat to avoid variable surge and swell conditions at the shoreline.
While the site is primarily a dive location, the reef and kelp forest habitat are accessible to those with appropriate experience in shore entries.
Diving at Bream Head in Whangarei requires the following certifications: Open Water. Always dive within your training limits.
A 7mm wetsuit or semi-dry is recommended for diving at Bream Head in Whangarei. Water temperatures range from 15°C to 22°C.
Bream Head in Whangarei typically has mild currents that most divers can handle comfortably.