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Hotels, dive operators, gear, and how to get here are on the Poor Knights Islands location page.
Overview
Greenpeace's flagship, bombed by French secret service agents in Auckland Harbour in 1985 in an attack that killed photographer Fernando Pereira, now rests off the Cavalli Islands near Matauri Bay. The salvaged hull was scuttled here in December 1987 as an artificial reef, the masts removed and displayed onshore. The 40 m wreck lies upright in 27 m of water with the deck around 16 m, its steel skin smothered in a dense carpet of varicoloured jewel anemones that give the dive its nickname, Jewel of the North. Schools of snapper, blue maomao and demoiselles hang over the wreck while kingfish patrol the blue and john dory hover near the superstructure. Cooler subtropical water and depth make this an advanced dive, though current is usually mild.
Briefing note
The wreck lies within a marine area managed as a fish sanctuary; no fishing or souvenir collecting. Depth to 27 m and cool water make this an advanced dive; penetration of the hull requires wreck training and a guide. Surface conditions in exposed Northland water can build quickly, so trips depend on weather windows.
What you'll see
6 species curated- year-roundJewel anemonePeak: Jan · Feb · Mar · Apr · May · Jun · Jul · Aug · Sep · Oct · Nov · Dec
- year-roundSnapperPeak: Jan · Feb · Mar · Apr · May · Jun · Jul · Aug · Sep · Oct · Nov · Dec
- seasonalYellowtail kingfishPeak: Dec · Jan · Feb · Mar · Apr
- year-roundBlue maomaoPeak: Jan · Feb · Mar · Apr · May · Jun · Jul · Aug · Sep · Oct · Nov · Dec
- year-roundJohn doryPeak: Jan · Feb · Mar · Apr · May · Jun · Jul · Aug · Sep · Oct · Nov · Dec
- year-roundSpiny rock lobsterPeak: Jan · Feb · Mar · Apr · May · Jun · Jul · Aug · Sep · Oct · Nov · Dec
Conditions
| Month | Water | Visibility | Current |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 20–22 °C | 12–22 m | mild |
| Feb | 21–23 °C | 12–25 m | mild |
| Mar | 20–22 °C | 12–25 m | mild |
| Apr | 18–20 °C | 12–22 m | mild |
| May | 17–19 °C | 10–18 m | mild |
| Jun | 15–17 °C | 10–15 m | mild |
| Jul | 14–16 °C | 10–15 m | mild |
| Aug | 14–15 °C | 10–15 m | mild |
| Sep | 14–16 °C | 10–15 m | mild |
| Oct | 15–17 °C | 10–18 m | mild |
| Nov | 17–19 °C | 12–20 m | mild |
| Dec | 18–20 °C | 12–22 m | mild |
Season calendar
Peak season highlighted · current month outlined
Next step
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