Dale Point
Milford Sound · New Zealand
Rocky point near the mouth of Milford Sound known for friendly octopus encounters and forests of black coral. A permanent tannin stained freshwater layer sits over the salt water, cutting the light so that deep water black coral, Antipathella fiordensis, grows in only 15 to 20 metres. The result is a dark twilight dive with life normally found far deeper.
Conditions
Depth
8 to 21 m
Open water and up
Current
Usually still
Can pick up on the edge
Visibility
5 to 9 m
Clearest in the calm season
Water
11 to 17°C
Drysuit with heavy undergarment
Month by month
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water (°C) | 15 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
| Vis (m) | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 8 |
| Current | Gentle | Gentle | Gentle | Gentle | Gentle | Still | Still | Still | Gentle | Gentle | Gentle | Gentle |
Your chances of seeing each animal
Black Coral
Last confirmed Jan 17, 2024 · 6 records
Very likely
Most dives
Sea Perch
Last confirmed Jan 1, 2024 · 5 records
Very likely
Most dives
New Zealand Rock Lobster
Last confirmed Jan 17, 2024 · 2 records
Likely
About 6 in 10 dives
Octopus
Expected
Known here, not yet in recent logs
Spiny Dogfish
Expected
Known here, not yet in recent logs
Snake Star
Expected
Known here, not yet in recent logs
Gear