Dive-site story
Situated along the exposed Wellington South Coast inside the Taputeranga Marine Reserve, Princess Bay offers an accessible shore dive characterized by dense kelp forests, rocky gutters, and gravel patches. Divers step off the beach into clear coastal water sheltered from northerly winds, exploring reef ridges that run perpendicular to the shoreline.
Extensive macroalgal forest providing habitat for dense concentrations of temperate reef fish
Sheltered sandy beach entry making it one of Wellington's most convenient shore dives during north winds
Full marine reserve protection allowing crayfish and blue cod to thrive without fishing pressure
Location
Use the map to plan with your operator and confirm the exact entry point on the day.
Seasonality
Late summer and early autumn bring the warmest water temperatures and prolonged stretches of settled weather.
Marine life
| Species | Likelihood | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue codParapercis colias | Common | ||||||||||||
| New Zealand red rock lobsterJasus edwardsii | Common | ||||||||||||
| ButterfishOdax pullus | Common | ||||||||||||
| MarblefishAplodactylus arctidens | Common | ||||||||||||
| Short-tailed stingrayBathytoshia brevicaudata | Seasonal |
Marine forecast
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