divenow.co.nz · Operator
Site-specific terrain, depth, suitability, and species notes for Blue Maomao Arch.
Dive Spot Guide•
Blue Maomao Arch (Bay of Islands)
Iconic shallow Poor Knights arch filled with schooling fish.
ScubaFreediveSnorkelBoat EntryIntermediate
Reef
Local operator required
Most visitors reach Blue Maomao Arch on charter boats running from Tutukaka.
Boat-only Poor Knights site best known for its short open arch, kelpy exits, and fish life, with suitability depending on swell and charter site selection.
About Blue Maomao Arch (Bay of Islands)
Blue Maomao Arch is an iconic shallow arch at the Poor Knights where a short swim-through cuts through boulder-strewn reef in the Labrid Channel. It works for divers, snorkelers, and confident freedivers when conditions are settled, with schooling blue maomao, demoiselles, nudibranchs, and other temperate reef life packed into a compact site that still feels dramatic.
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Research Estimate At Blue Maomao Arch (Bay of Islands)
Conservative baseline from public research. No community dives logged yet.
VisibilityVisibility: 18m
AccessChallenging entry effort
Coral HealthMixed health
Marine LifeExceptional variety
FacilitiesLimited facilities
CrowdedQuite busy
Where Is Blue Maomao Arch (Bay of Islands)?
This spotNearby spots
Community sourced coordinates.
Blue Maomao Arch (Bay of Islands) Planning Details
Depth range, seasonality, and planning context.
Reported Depth
4m - 16m
Depth Note
The arch is shallow (less than 5 m), and the bottom contour can be followed to 30+ m.
Best Season
Year-round, with clearest water often from late autumn through winter.
Typical Conditions
Sheltered bay with rocky reef; kelp bottom with some kina barrens.
Safety & Access At Blue Maomao Arch (Bay of Islands)
Hazards, restrictions, and access requirements.
Key Hazards
Overhead environment
Safety Notes
The arch creates an overhead environment; maintain appropriate clearance and buoyancy control. Depth increases beyond 30 m along the contour, so monitor depth and gas closely.
Access Restrictions
Blue Maomao Arch is reached by boat and sits inside the Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve, where landing on the islands is prohibited and site choice depends on charter and sea conditions.
Legal Notes
The marine reserve prohibits fishing, taking or disturbing marine life, removing material from the sea floor, and other extractive activity.
Local Intel For Blue Maomao Arch (Bay of Islands)
Community notes to help plan your visit.
Scuba
Shallow arch area transitions to deeper diving by following the bottom contour past 30 m, with boulders and crevices throughout.
Freedive
Confident freedivers can work the shallow arch and kelpy exits when the channel is calm, but should treat it as an offshore boat site with moving water rather than a casual shore session.
Snorkel
Blue Maomao Arch is one of the better Poor Knights snorkel sites when settled because the arch is shallow, open to the surface, and often full of schooling fish.
Blue Maomao Arch (Bay of Islands) Dive Conditions Planner
Use the planner to scan this week, inspect today in local time, and understand how exposure shapes conditions at Blue Maomao Arch (Bay of Islands).
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Exposure Profile at Blue Maomao Arch (Bay of Islands)
Directional shelter context for incoming swell.
Exposure Note
Hourly forecast data is not available yet.
Wildlife at Blue Maomao Arch (Bay of Islands)
Species commonly reported at this site, with direct links into their wildlife guides.
Recent Logged Visits At Blue Maomao Arch (Bay of Islands)
Community dive logs and visit reports for this site.
No Dive Logs Yet
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Dive Spot Log Averages At Blue Maomao Arch (Bay of Islands)
Average conditions based on logged dives & visits.
Conditions
Avg. Visibility18m
Activity
No dive activity logged yet.
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Blue Maomao Arch (Bay of Islands) Guide - Frequently Asked Questions
Planning answers for access, conditions, timing, and site logistics.
Blue Maomao Arch (Bay of Islands) Guide - Sources and Updates
Last Updated
Research Sources
divernet.com · Editorial
Popularity, seasonal visibility range, and Blue Maomao Arch overview.
globaldive.net · Dive Directory
Additional depth, encrusting life, and fish behavior details for the arch.
www.doc.govt.nz · Official
Reserve access, protection rules, and habitat context for Poor Knights.
www.nzgeo.com · Editorial
Blue maomao cavern context and broader fish diversity at the Poor Knights.
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