info updated Photos.
Apr 18, 2026Dive Spot Guide•
Rainbow Warrior
Historic wreck dive in the Cavalli Islands, New Zealand.
Photo from Hidden Hermit Crab
Short-boat wreck dive on sand with a mature artificial-reef profile. Best for certified divers who are comfortable with a deeper wreck and a memorial site.
About Rainbow Warrior
Rainbow Warrior is a boat-access wreck dive in the Cavalli Islands, resting on sand as a mature artificial reef. It is a serious but rewarding certified dive: the wreck is thick with corals and anemones, small fish use the structure for shelter, and the short boat ride pays off when the water and current are settled for certified divers.
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Research Estimate At Rainbow Warrior
Conservative baseline from public research. No community dives logged yet.
VisibilityVisibility: 15m
AccessModerate entry effort
CoralHealthy coral
Aquatic LifeGreat variety
FacilitiesGood facilities
Crowd / PopularityModerate
CurrentLight current
Where Is Rainbow Warrior?
This spotNearby spotsExplore nearby spots on the map
Community sourced coordinates.
Rainbow Warrior Planning Details
Depth range, seasonality, and planning context.
Reported Depth
18m - 27m
Depth Note
The wreck sits around 18-27 m in the Cavalli Islands.
Best Season
February to June; calm mornings are best.
Typical Conditions
Deep wreck on sand with a short boat ride, mildest currents in the warm season, and a well-established artificial reef profile.
Safety & Access At Rainbow Warrior
Hazards, restrictions, and access requirements.
Key Hazards
Boat trafficEntanglement riskRestricted access
Safety Notes
Treat it as a certified wreck dive: plan gas and bottom time, respect the memorial, and keep an eye on the wreck structure and boat schedule.
Access Restrictions
Boat access only from Paihia or Matauri Bay, and the deeper wreck option requires appropriate certification and recent diving experience.
Legal Notes
The wreck is a memorial and artificial reef; follow operator rules and do not disturb or remove anything.
Local Intel For Rainbow Warrior
Community notes to help plan your visit.
Scuba Diving
A certified wreck dive on a sand-bottomed artificial reef, best treated as an advanced open-water profile.
Freediving
Not a practical freedive objective; the wreck is too deep for ordinary freedive planning.
Snorkeling
Snorkeling is limited to the surface support area and is not the useful way to see the wreck.
Wildlife at Rainbow Warrior
Species commonly reported at this site, with direct links into their wildlife guides.
Recent Logged Visits At Rainbow Warrior
Community dive logs and visit reports for this site.
Dive Spot Log Averages At Rainbow Warrior
Average conditions based on logged dives & visits.
Conditions
Avg. Visibility15m
Activity
No dive activity logged yet.
