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Directory listing with a visibility figure and site-level overview for Cathedral Cave.
Dive Spot Guide•
Cathedral Cave
Boat-only sea cave with rays, eels, and blue-water walls.
ScubaFreediveBoat EntryAdvanced
Cave
Local operator required
Cathedral Cave is typically dived from Paihia or nearby Bay of Islands boats rather than as an independent shore dive.
Usually dived by boat in calm weather because swell and current around the Hole in the Rock can change quickly, even when the cave itself is manageable.
About Cathedral Cave
Cathedral Cave is the tall sea cave inside Motukokako's Hole in the Rock, reached by boat on settled Bay of Islands days. Divers follow a dramatic chamber with light pouring in from above, steeper walls near the entrance, and a shallower back section that makes the cave feel bigger than its footprint suggests. The site is known for stingrays, eels, nudibranchs, schooling fish, and small critters tucked into the rock, while clearer days add the blue-water contrast outside the cave mouth. Although the route is straightforward in calm conditions, it remains an overhead environment in open water and is best treated as an experienced local boat dive rather than a casual swim-through.
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Research Estimate At Cathedral Cave
Conservative baseline from public research. No community dives logged yet.
VisibilityVisibility: 14m
AccessChallenging entry effort
Marine LifeGreat variety
FacilitiesLimited facilities
Current StrengthModerate current
Surge StrengthModerate surge
Where Is Cathedral Cave?
This spotNearby spots
Community sourced coordinates.
Cathedral Cave Planning Details
Depth range, seasonality, and planning context.
Reported Depth
10m - 35m
Depth Note
Site-specific public sources describe the back of the cave as much shallower than the entrance, with most profiles staying roughly within a 10-35 m band.
Best Season
Dived year-round, with summer offering warmer water and winter often bringing the clearest visibility in the Bay of Islands.
Typical Conditions
Best on calm offshore days with decent blue-water clarity. Surface motion, surge, and current can increase quickly around the Hole in the Rock even when the cave itself looks sheltered.
Safety & Access At Cathedral Cave
Hazards, restrictions, and access requirements.
Key Hazards
Overhead environment
Safety Notes
Open-water cave environment; plan for overhead conditions and depth, and manage gas and buoyancy accordingly.
Access Restrictions
Cathedral Cave is a boat-access site at Motukokako in the Bay of Islands and is normally dived with a local operator in settled weather.
Legal Notes
The Hole in the Rock area sits inside a controlled maritime and marine-mammal area, so operators follow local boating and wildlife-approach rules and may skip the site when conditions or vessel traffic make entry unsafe.
Local Intel For Cathedral Cave
Community notes to help plan your visit.
Scuba
Most scuba dives treat Cathedral Cave as a controlled pass through the chamber, staying aware of overhead space, changing surge at the mouth, and boat timing around the offshore islands.
Freedive
Freedivers need very calm weather, strong surface support, and comfort working around surge and boat-based pickups near the cave entrance.
Cathedral Cave Dive Conditions Planner
Use the planner to scan this week, inspect today in local time, and understand how exposure shapes conditions at Cathedral Cave.
Current Snapshot
No data
🌥️Variable
Sunrise
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Time
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Sunset
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Surface / Entry
Wind No data · Tide No data
Sea State
Swell No data · Period unavailable
Visibility Outlook
Rain chance No data
Wind
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Swell
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Exposure Profile at Cathedral Cave
Directional shelter context for incoming swell.
Exposure Note
Hourly forecast data is not available yet.
Wildlife at Cathedral Cave
Species commonly reported at this site, with direct links into their wildlife guides.
Recent Logged Visits At Cathedral Cave
Community dive logs and visit reports for this site.
No Dive Logs Yet
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Dive Spot Log Averages At Cathedral Cave
Average conditions based on logged dives & visits.
Conditions
Avg. Visibility14m
Activity
No dive activity logged yet.
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Cathedral Cave Guide - Frequently Asked Questions
Planning answers for access, conditions, timing, and site logistics.
Cathedral Cave Guide - Sources and Updates
Last Updated
Research Sources
paihiadive.co.nz · Operator
Local operator guidance confirming offshore boat access and Bay of Islands site selection based on conditions.
www.divepacific.co.nz · Editorial
Site-specific description of Cathedral Cave inside the Hole in the Rock, including approximate entrance and back-of-cave depths plus common wildlife.
www.doc.govt.nz · Official
Official context for Motukokako and protected-area management in the Hole in the Rock area.
www.visitboi.co.nz · Tourism
Regional tourism guidance on the Hole in the Rock area, including weather and sea-condition sensitivity.
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