Barney's Rock is a popular wall dive with lush kelp forest. The rock itself is named after Barney O'Reily, a legendary local whaler who used the rock to spot whales from.

Water temperature ranges from around 10 degrees in winter to 16-18 degrees in summer. Average water visibility is around 5-8 metres. This site is best dived following a northwesterly where visibility can increase up to 15 metres.

Aquatic Life:

Fish species include banded wrasse, spotties, blue cod...[more info required please].

Invertebrates commonly seen at Kaikoura dive sites include sponges, anemones, sea tulips, nudibranchs, starfish, sea urchins, rock lobster, octopus, and paua.

Directions:

From Kaikoura, take SH1 south out of town for about 10 kms (2kms further on from the small settlement, Peketa). You can get your tank filled at the dive store in the Kaikoura township.