www.doc.govt.nz · Official
Dive Spot Guide•
Riko Riko cave
Boat-access sea cave in the Poor Knights with cathedral-scale structure.
Local operator required
Boat access and reserve logistics make this an operator-led dive or tour stop.
A huge sea cave in the Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve, entered by boat and known for its scale, acoustics and cave-oriented diving.
About Riko Riko cave
Riko Riko Cave is a vast sea cave in the Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve, entered by boat and known for its cathedral-like scale and acoustics. It is one of the signature sites in the reserve, combining a dramatic overhead cavern with cave walls, dark corners and a distinctive marine ecosystem. Boat trips visit it between dives or as part of a wider Poor Knights day, so it works best as an offshore reserve experience rather than a simple shore site.
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Research Estimate At Riko Riko cave
Conservative baseline from public research. No community dives logged yet.
VisibilityVisibility: 30m
AccessChallenging entry effort
CoralHealthy coral
Aquatic LifeGreat variety
FacilitiesGood facilities
CurrentNo current
SurgeLight surge
Where Is Riko Riko cave?
This spotNearby spotsExplore nearby spots on the map
Community sourced coordinates.
Riko Riko cave Planning Details
Depth range, seasonality, and planning context.
Reported Depth
0m - 20m
Depth Note
The cave is entered at the surface and operator material places one cave package below 20m, with a 20m ceiling used for planning.
Best Season
Year-round
Typical Conditions
The cave itself is sheltered once inside, but the trip is still weather-sensitive because wind and swell affect the crossing and the entrance.
Safety & Access At Riko Riko cave
Hazards, restrictions, and access requirements.
Key Hazards
Overhead environment
Safety Notes
As a sea cave, this site involves an overhead environment and should be approached with appropriate cave-diving awareness and lighting, especially on night dives.
Access Restrictions
Boat access only, with reserve rules and weather windows governing whether a trip runs.
Legal Notes
Treat the Poor Knights as a marine-reserve destination and follow operator guidance for entry, anchoring and landing limits.
Local Intel For Riko Riko cave
Community notes to help plan your visit.
Scuba Diving
Scuba here is the main use case. Expect a dramatic boat-visited cave with reserve life, overhead structure and a route that depends on conditions at the entrance.
Freediving
Freediving is not the main use case; keep it conservative and operator-led if it is offered at all.
Snorkeling
Snorkeling and sightseeing can be part of boat tours, but the site is better known for diving and guided cave visits than for independent snorkeling.
Wildlife at Riko Riko cave
Species commonly reported at this site, with direct links into their wildlife guides.
Recent Logged Visits At Riko Riko cave
Community dive logs and visit reports for this site.
Dive Spot Log Averages At Riko Riko cave
Average conditions based on logged dives & visits.
Conditions
Avg. Visibility30m
Activity
No dive activity logged yet.
