Silfra vs Poor Knights Islands — Dive Destination Comparison
Poor Knights Islands (New Zealand) scores 53.3/100 vs Silfra's 51.0/100 in OkToDive's 12-category rating. Choose Silfra for fissure diving with 91–101m visibility. Choose Poor Knights Islands for wreck diving at ~$130/dive.
Last updated: 2026-05-20
Side-by-side comparison
| Metric | Silfra | Poor Knights Islands |
|---|---|---|
| OkToDive Score | 51.0/100 | 53.3/100 |
| Country | Iceland | New Zealand |
| Visibility | 91--101m | 15--40m |
| Water temp | 2--4 C | 14--25 C |
| Max depth | 19m | 40m |
| Current | mild | moderate |
| Cost per 2-tank dive | $350 | $130 |
| Budget tier | luxury | mid range |
| Best months | June, July, August | February, June |
| Dive types | fissure, freshwater, geological | wreck, pelagic |
| Min certification | Dry Suit Certified | Open Water |
| Key species | Arctic char, brown trout, algae formations | octopus, stingray |
| Google rating | 4.8 (6200 reviews) | 0 (0 reviews) |
Which should you choose?
Choose Silfra when...
- + Wide-angle photographers wanting crystal visibility
- + Couples where one partner doesn't dive
- + Groups seeking 4+ named dive sites in one area
Skip if
- - You're on a tight budget — avg $350/dive
- - You hate cold water — temps drop to 2°C
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
Poor Knights Islands wins on overall score (53.3 vs 51.0), but the right choice depends on your priorities. Poor Knights Islands is more affordable ($130 vs $350/dive). Silfra has better peak visibility (101m vs 40m).