Best Snorkeling in New Zealand

Live snorkeling conditions for 2 spots in New Zealand — wave height, wind, water temperature and tides, updated hourly.

Snorkeling in New Zealand is best when the sea is calm and clear: low wave height, light winds and water inside a comfortable temperature range. Conditions vary a lot by spot, season and time of day, so we forecast each location below individually. As a rule of thumb, snorkel in the morning before the wind builds, and aim for the window around high tide when currents are slack and visibility is highest. Pick a spot to see its hourly snorkel score, the next good window and the best months to visit.

Snorkeling spots in New Zealand

24-hour tide chart for Goat Island

Goat Island

New Zealand

17.5°C

New Zealand's first marine reserve, with snapper and kelp in clear shallows.

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24-hour tide chart for Poor Knights Islands

Poor Knights Islands

New Zealand

18.8°C

Subtropical reserve islands rated among the world's best for clear-water snorkeling.

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