South Sunk
Conditions & tides
Scored by DiveConnect's site-physics model
Marine forecast via Copernicus Marine. Score is a rule-based guide from swell/wind vs. the site's exposure — always dive your own assessment.
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About this site
South Sunk Rock is a pinnacle dive in the Mercury Bay area of New Zealand, close to Hahei Beach. It is known as one of the top dives in the area and is generally very clear. The site lies outside the marine reserve boundary and is only 5 to 7 minutes by boat from the beach.
The pinnacle breaks the surface at spring low tide and drops off to 28 to 30 m on sand, so it suits experienced divers. A drop-off of 20 m on the southern end leads to a huge swim-through with a number of deep crevices, multicoloured weeds, fan sponges and nudibranchs. An underwater camera is a great tool here.
Marine life is abundant and varied around the pinnacles. It includes huge marble fish, hiwihiwi, silver drummers, moki and curious leatherjackets. In the warmer months, pelagic fish such as kahawai, kingfish and jack mackerel come through.
Marine life here
Confirmed by our research team, reported by independent divers, or observed nearby via iNaturalist — each entry is labelled with its source.
Jack / amberjackJack / amberjackReported here · unconfirmed
MackerelMackerelReported here · unconfirmed
NudibranchNudibranchReported here · unconfirmed
Southern Rock LobsterJasus edwardsiiReported here · unconfirmed
Durable tips from divers — access, hazards, marine life, facilities. For day-of conditions, use the report tool in the conditions card above.
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