RikoRiko Cave centres on dramatic cave and arch diving, with sites ranging from shallow beginner-friendly reefs to deep walls and narrow passages suited to advanced divers. All sites are boat-accessed. The cave system draws a remarkable nudibranch community alongside resident Green Moray, Mosaic Moray, Smooth Ray, and schooling Kingfish and Pink Maomao. Summer months offer the warmest water and see the heaviest dive traffic.
Monthly water temperature across RikoRiko Cave's sites, from satellite sea-surface data corrected for depth. The band shows the site-to-site spread.
Water temperature peaks through summer, making January through March the most comfortable period for longer dives. Winter months bring noticeably cooler conditions, which deter some visitors but can reward those who prefer quieter sites. All entries are by boat, and some exposed sites such as Ngaio Rock and Northern Arch can carry current.
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New Zealand
New Zealand
5 more sites to explore
Water temperature around RikoRiko Cave ranges from about 16°C in July 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 RikoRiko Cave; in the coldest months (about 16°C) step up to a 7mm or semi-dry suit.
Fin maps 17 sites in RikoRiko Cave (17 scuba diving sites and 2 snorkelling spots, with some suited to both).
Across RikoRiko Cave's dive sites, January, February, March and December are most often reported as the best months to visit.
Observers regularly encounter Green Moray, Mosaic Moray, Cloudy Moray, and Smooth Ray throughout the sites. Nudibranchs are a particular highlight, with Dendrodoris Gunnamatta, Fine-lined Tambja, Verco's Nudibranch, and Clown Doris all recorded as very common. Kingfish, Pink Maomao, Eagle Ray, and Eastern Pigfish round out the fish life.
Yes, several sites cater specifically to beginners. Nursery Cove is sheltered and current-free, Magic Wall descends gently to a sandy bottom, and Brady's Corner and Meditation Wall offers reef, wall, and cave structures at shallow depths. Mao Mao Arch also welcomes beginners and allows both diving and snorkelling.
Every site in this area is accessed by boat. Operators Yukon Dive and Techdive New Zealand both run trips to the Poor Knights Islands. There are no shore-entry options listed for this area.
Advanced sites such as Northern Arch and Landing Bay Pinnacle involve significant depth, narrow passages, and, in the case of Ngaio Rock, potential drift conditions. Northern Arch features a narrow archway with wall and cave navigation, while Landing Bay Pinnacle rises through the full water column past a kelp forest. Beginner sites like Nursery Cove and The Gardens Pinnacles stay shallow and are free of strong current.
