Dive-site story
Extending from the mouth of Otago Harbour, the Aramoana Mole is a long artificial breakwater originally constructed to protect the shipping channel. Below the surface, the rock wall merges into sand and scattered historical scuttlings that form an extensive artificial reef. Lush bladder kelp forests sway in the surge, providing refuge for cold-temperate fish and invertebrates.
Submerged ship skeletons and industrial ironwork sheltering marine life
Dense canopies of giant bladder kelp anchored along the rocky wall
Frequent encounters with resident New Zealand sea lions and passing carpet sharks
Location
Use the map to plan with your operator and confirm the exact entry point on the day.
Seasonality
Summer and autumn bring slightly warmer water temperatures, higher biodiversity, and calmer conditions for shore entries.
Marine life
| Species | Likelihood | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Zealand sea lionPhocarctos hookeri | Common | ||||||||||||
| Broadnose sevengill sharkNotorynchus cepedianus | Seasonal | ||||||||||||
| Blue codParapercis colias | Common | ||||||||||||
| Carpet sharkCephaloscyllium isabellum | Common | ||||||||||||
| Variable triplefinForsterygion varium | Common |
Marine forecast
Book with DIVEROUT
