- Depth range
- 5–40 m16–131 ft
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Entry
- Boat entry
- Visibility
- 10–25 m33–82 ft
- Water temperature
- 14–22°C57–72°F
Dive-site story
What makes this site worth diving
Roughly 20 kilometers off the Coromandel Peninsula's eastern coast, the Aldermen Islands are jagged, uninhabited volcanic remnants with steep sub-surface topography. Divers explore deep fissures, towering pinnacles, and large archways carved by ancient ocean currents. Northern subtropical currents wash over the islands in summer, creating a marine crossroad where temperate species reside alongside tropical visitors.
Volcanic arches, swim-throughs, and deep walls
Pink and blue maomao schooling along rock faces
Yellowtail kingfish hunting near pinnacles
Location
Find the site
Use the map to plan with your operator and confirm the exact entry point on the day.
Plan this dive with care
- Currents run strong near exposed offshore pinnacles and through narrow channels.
- Swell and surge build quickly around shallow rock arches.
Seasonality
Best time to dive
- JBest
- FBest
- MBest
- ABest
- MBest
- J—
- J—
- A—
- S—
- O—
- N—
- DBest
Summer and autumn bring warmer subtropical waters, increased visibility, and active pelagic species.
Marine life
What you may encounter
| Species | Likelihood | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yellowtail kingfishSeriola lalandi | Common | ||||||||||||
| Pink maomaoCaprodon longimanus | Common | ||||||||||||
| Packhorse crayfishJasus verreauxi | Common | ||||||||||||
| Short-tail stingrayBathytoshia brevicaudata | Common | ||||||||||||
| Mosaic moray eelEnchelycore ramosa | Common |
Marine forecast
Current and next 48 hours
DIVEROUT Booking