Sources · Destination Guide

Poor Knights Islands

Sea caves, stingrays and subtropical reefs off New Zealand's Tutukaka Coast

Updated Nov 21, 2025 • 11 sources

Research Sources

Destination Guide Sources For Poor Knights Islands

Reference links used to build and maintain this guide.

11 sources • Updated Nov 21, 2025

Written by DiveJourney. Built from public sources and local operator knowledge. Last updated Nov 21, 2025.

DOC - Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve - Official information on marine reserve rules, ecology and Ngatiwai guardianship.
Tourism New Zealand - Poor Knights Islands / Tawhiti Rahi - Visitor overview, highlights and key dive and snorkel features.
Dive! Tutukaka - Poor Knights Islands - Local dive operator details, non diver trips and background on underwater and topside environments.
DiveJourney - Poor Knights dive spots - Community sourced spot pages and conditions for Riko Riko Cave, Blue Maomao Arch, Nursery Cove and other Poor Knights sites.
Divenow - Poor Knights marine life and dive sites

- Detailed descriptions of marine biodiversity and popular sites like Nursery Cove.

PADI - Diving Tutukaka - Summary of seasons, water temperatures and access to Poor Knights from Tutukaka.

SeatTemperature.info - Poor Knights Islands water temperature - Seasonal average sea temperature data for Poor Knights Islands.

Weather and climate - Tutukaka and Whangarei - Indicative air temperature and rainfall patterns for the Tutukaka Coast and nearby Whangarei.

Freedive Aotearoa - Freediving and mermaid training plus wellness offerings in Northland and Poor Knights trips.

MBIE & Immigration NZ - International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy & NZeTA - Official information about IVL charges and proposed changes; cross check current rates before travel.

Diving Emergency Service & DAN World - Diving Emergency Service numbers for New Zealand and guidance on contacting DAN for dive incidents.