The Hole in the Rock area sits within the Bay of Islands in Northland, and its nine sites cover an unusually wide range of terrain and skill levels. Beginners can follow an interpretive snorkel trail at Twin Lagoons or explore the calm reef at Cooks Cove, while advanced divers head to Bird Rock, which drops to fifty metres, or work the drift conditions at stronger sites. The HMSNZ Canterbury wreck and an underwater archway at Deep Water Cove are among the more distinctive features. Entry is by boat, shore, or both depending on the site, and most are within a short boat ride of Paihia, Russell, and Opua. Temperatures are warmest in late summer and early autumn and coolest in late winter.
Monthly water temperature across Hole in the Rock's sites, from satellite sea-surface data corrected for depth. The band shows the site-to-site spread.
Water is warmest from midsummer into early autumn and cools to its lowest in late winter and early spring. Conditions vary considerably between sites, with calmer sheltered bays suitable year-round and exposed sites like Bird Rock best suited to settled weather.
2 operators
Water temperature around Hole in the Rock ranges from about 16°C in August to 21°C in February, based on satellite sea-temperature data for its dive sites.
In the warm season (about 21°C) a 5mm suit is comfortable in Hole in the Rock; in the coldest months (about 16°C) step up to a 7mm or semi-dry suit.
Fin maps 9 sites in Hole in the Rock (9 scuba diving sites and 2 snorkelling spots, with some suited to both).
8 more sites to explore
