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Site summary for Boulder Garden; supports access, depth, and marine-life context.
Dive Spot Guide•
Boulder Garden
Boat-access advanced boulder slope off Motukokako.
Experienced boat divers get a steep outer-island slope, good fish life, and a deeper boulder garden; plan on settled weather and water traffic.
About Boulder Garden
Boulder Garden is a boat-access advanced dive on the west side of Motukokako in the Bay of Islands. The route is a steep boulder slope that drops into deep water and is known for sponge-covered rock, varied fish life, and occasional shark sightings. It is best treated as an experienced boat dive rather than a casual reef stop, with the skipper and weather window doing most of the planning work.
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Research Estimate At Boulder Garden
Conservative baseline from public research. No community dives logged yet.
VisibilityVisibility: 8m
AccessModerate entry effort
Aquatic LifeGreat variety
FacilitiesLimited facilities
Crowd / PopularityModerate
Where Is Boulder Garden?
This spotNearby spotsExplore nearby spots on the map
Community sourced coordinates.
Boulder Garden Planning Details
Depth range, seasonality, and planning context.
Reported Depth
0m - 70m
Depth Note
The site starts at the surface, the main boulder band sits around 25m, and the slope continues past 50m.
Best Season
Year-round; calmer weather windows are best.
Typical Conditions
Outer-island boat dive with a steep deep slope, good fish action, and conditions that are more exposed than inner-bay reefs.
Safety & Access At Boulder Garden
Site conditions, restrictions, and access requirements.
Site Conditions
Boat traffic
Safety Notes
Treat Boulder Garden as an advanced outing with a disciplined ascent plan, careful gas management, and attention to boat traffic.
Access Restrictions
Boat access only; no simple shore entry.
Local Intel For Boulder Garden
Community notes to help plan your visit.
Scuba Diving
Best for experienced scuba divers. The slope and boulder garden suit a deliberate, well-managed boat dive rather than a casual reef stop.
Freediving
Only suitable for very advanced freedivers who are comfortable on deep, boat-supported outer-island sites; not a casual freedive target.
Snorkeling
Not a practical snorkeling target beyond surface sightseeing; the useful structure sits well below snorkel range.
Wildlife at Boulder Garden
Species commonly reported at this site, with direct links into their wildlife guides.
Recent Logged Visits At Boulder Garden
Community dive logs and visit reports for this site.
Dive Spot Log Averages At Boulder Garden
Average conditions based on logged dives & visits.
Conditions
Avg. Visibility8m
Activity
No dive activity logged yet.
