A spectacular place to dive any time of year, the Poor Knights Islands offer tunnels and arches, beautiful kelp gardens, and splendid marine life. Visibility here varies seasonally – in general, it is at its worst during the warmest months, averaging between 5 and 10 meters, and it is at its best during the coldest months, when you can expect to see for 30 meters or more. While there are many wonderful dive sites in the Southern Quarter, some do deserve special mention. Let’s take a look!
Fred’s Pinnacle
Watch for pelagics coming up out of the depths at Fred’s Pinnacle, which is a fantastic site for both macro and wide angle photography. Divers frequently encounter large kingfish, as well as schooling pink and blue maomao, snappers, and jack mackerel, along with thick shoals of other fish. The pinnacle itself is spectacular, rising up to within 5 meters of the surface, and covered in brilliant coral and sponge growth in all the colors of the rainbow. Look for nudibranchs and starfish, sea urchins, and lots of little crabs, as well as moray eels as you explore the site. Be sure to pay close attention to your depth, as this pinnacle is more like a long narrow saddle, which slowly drops away to undiveable depths. It is possible to anchor at about 15 meters and simply watch the show!
Nursery Cove
A fascinating site which is suitable for all divers, Nursery Cove is home to brilliant orange, green, and banded parrotfish, as well as crimson cleaner fish, red pigfish, and others. Ideal for snorkeling as well as diving, the cove features a sandy bottom where stingrays burrow into the sand, and a short distance from the beach area, a tumbled mass of boulders shelters the many juvenile fish which live here. Near the entrance to the cove itself, you’ll find an old chain and anchor, and off to the south lies the Labyrinth dive site, which can be easily accessed from the cove. With maximum depth at just 18 meters and most features in much shallower water, this site is ideal for simply relaxing and enjoying the many creatures which inhabit it.
Sand Garden
Home to pufferfish and goatfish, combed stars and colorful sea urchins to name just a few, the Sand Garden is a fantastic site with a roughly textured wall and a gorgeous rocky reef, yet maximum depth is just 20 meters. Located just to the north of Nursery Cove, it is another great site for a second dive. Watch for different varieties of wrasse and lizardfish, as well as stingrays and a few garden eels as you explore, and if a night dive is offered, grasp the opportunity since the area is even more fascinating once the sun goes down. You’ll see crabs and lobsters feeding, and you can also enjoy the fascinating sight of sleeping parrotfish, relaxing in the cocoons they create for themselves each night.
Blue Maomao Arch
Named for the blue maomao which are abound here, Blue Maomao Arch is a cathedral-like structure with beautiful rocky pillars where you can find moray eels and lots of little invertebrates, as well as dozens of blennies as you explore. At some times, the maomaos are so thick that you must push your way through them in order to move from one place to another. Maximum depth on the east end is just 15 meters, making the area ideal for all divers, and particularly exciting for beginners. This is an excellent site for wide angle photography, as the abundant fish life and geology are fantastic, so be sure to bring your camera with you.
Labrid Channel
Home to butterfish and goatfish, as well as the labrids the channel is named for, Labrid Channel features spectacular rocky cliffs between 6 and 10 meters deep, and is ideal for all divers. With gorgeous kelp beds and lots of colorful sponge and coral growth creating a beautiful backdrop for photography, it is well lit by the sun’s rays, and is ideal for a simple snorkel. With archways where fish sleep, the channel is normally quite calm, however it can be subject to swirling eddies at times, so be sure to pay close attention to conditions as they can change quickly. Along the sandy bottom of the channel, you can see the occasional cluster of stingrays speeding from one place to another, and if you are lucky, you may encounter small bronze whaler sharks hiding in the sheltered spaces beneath the shallow cliffs.
The Gardens
Located along Sandager Reef, The Gardens is home to lots of parrotfish and goatfish, many of which are very curious and friendly. Besides the abundance of labrids, the site is home to toadstool groupers, speckled morays and their shyer gray moray cousins, and lots of crayfish and other little creatures. While maximum depth is 20 meters, most features are in much shallower water, making this site suitable for all divers. Well lit by the sun’s rays, it is also a fantastic site for underwater photography, particularly since the fish are so cooperative!
Labyrinth
Located just to the north of Nursery Cove, the Labyrinth features a lovely arch which can be swum through, as well as shallow canyons covered in brilliant sponge and coral. An excellent place to find nudibranchs and other invertebrates, it is also home to countless juvenile fish, including colorful black angelfish and small wrasse, john dorys, and snapper. Look for little blennies among the rocks, and watch the sandy bottom for the occasional stingray cruising past. With maximum depth at just 18 meters, this site is fantastic for a second dive, and is wonderful for even the newest diver to explore.