Jellyfish Lake vs Poor Knights Islands — Dive Destination Comparison
Jellyfish Lake (Palau) scores 53.7/100 vs Poor Knights Islands's 53.3/100 in OkToDive's 12-category rating. Choose Jellyfish Lake for pelagic diving with 5–9m visibility. Choose Poor Knights Islands for wreck diving at ~$130/dive.
Last updated: 2026-07-22
Side-by-side comparison
| Metric | Jellyfish Lake | Poor Knights Islands |
|---|---|---|
| OkToDive Score | 53.7/100 | 53.3/100 |
| Country | Palau | New Zealand |
| Visibility | 5--9m | 15--40m |
| Water temp | 29--32 C | 14--25 C |
| Max depth | 9m | 40m |
| Current | moderate | moderate |
| Cost per 2-tank dive | $0 | $130 |
| Budget tier | mid range | mid range |
| Best months | December, January, February | February, June |
| Dive types | pelagic | wreck, pelagic |
| Min certification | Open Water | Open Water |
| Key species | manta ray, reef shark, barracuda | octopus, stingray |
| Google rating | 0 (0 reviews) | 0 (0 reviews) |
Which should you choose?
Choose Jellyfish Lake when...
- + Divers who prioritize pelagic diving
- + Anyone visiting Asia-Pacific for the first time
- + Groups seeking 1+ named dive sites in one area
Skip if
- - You prefer uncrowded sites and this has 1+ named spots drawing traffic
- - You need shore access — this is boat-only
Choose Poor Knights Islands when...
- + Wreck diving enthusiasts
- + Wide-angle photographers wanting crystal visibility
- + Groups seeking 15+ named dive sites in one area
Skip if
- - You don't have Advanced certification
- - You hate cold water — temps drop to 14°C
- - You can only travel outside February, June — conditions deteriorate
Bottom line
Jellyfish Lake wins on overall score (53.7 vs 53.3), but the right choice depends on your priorities. Jellyfish Lake is more affordable ($0 vs $130/dive). Poor Knights Islands has better peak visibility (40m vs 9m).