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Scuba diving and snorkelling

Marine conservation scuba diving and PADI courses

Diving in New Zealand

Name: Pacific Hideaway Charters (Diving)
Address: Poor Knights Islands, Tutukaka, Northland, New Zealand

The dives: The diving at the Poor Knights is excellent. For many years they have been recognized as New Zealand’s top scuba diving location, and were considered by Jacques Cousteau to be one of the top scuba dive sites of the world. There is greater diversity of underwater habitats and wildlife than elsewhere around New Zealand due to a combination of adjacent deep water, near vertical underwater cliffs, shallow sheltered bays, arches, caves and tunnels bathed by the warm East Auckland current.

This has attracted subtropical species such as spotted black, toadstool and gold ribbon groupers; Lord Howe Island coral fish and banded coral shrimp, all of which have become established. Rare arrivals have included lionfish, trumpet fish, long-nosed butterfly fish and occasional hawksbill turtles. Seen on most dives are many moray eels (six species occur), rays (four species) and schools of many other species including kingfish up to 40kg. The caves and arches are home to demoiselles and both pink and blue maomao. On the walls there are colourful sponges, anemones, gorgonian soft corals, bryozoans and tunicates; all of these, together with beautiful nudibranchs, make these NZ islands an underwater photographer's paradise.

The boat: Pacific Hideaway is the ultimate Poor Knights dive boat. A stable catamaran with 7m beam and length of 15m, her roomy cockpit provides adequate area for scuba divers to gear up. The walk through transom and dual level stern platforms make water entry and exit a simple matter. The hot shower in the cockpit and duckboard area is an added luxury. Tea, coffee, and soup are provided on day trips, as is free use of kayaks for those who wish to explore the surface caverns and arches. For longer trips and charters, and for on board social functions we are equipped for catering with a gas stove, microwave, barbecue, fridge, icemaker, and deep freeze. An air compressor is on board to fill those all important scuba tanks.

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Area: Kaikoura
Name: NZ Sea Adventures
Address: 114a Beach Road, Kaikoura, New Zealand

GO - Seal SwimmingSnorkelling or scuba diving with seals in the shallow waters of Kaikoura’s rocky coastline is not only fun but also relaxing. Enjoy the company of the cheeky and inquisitive New Zealand fur seal, either from the comfort of one our vessels or by accessing them from shore. You will be enthralled by the closeness of this adventure, amazed by their natural abilities as they show off to you and delighted by their innocent curiosity.

If you haven’t snorkelled before don’t be too concerned, as you can practice snorkelling techniques in our heated pool prior to your trip. Our internationally qualified guides accompany all trips. Warm wetsuits, drinks and snorkel equipment are supplied. All you need to supply is your bathing suit and three hours of your time. Both shore based and boat based trips depart up to four times a day from September to May

GO DIVE - Adventure ToursFor the qualified or non-qualified diver, Kaikoura can offer some of the best reef diving in New Zealand. Boat travel is short, to easily accessible dive sites which suit all levels of experience. For those with no dive experience try our one-day Discover Scuba Diving course - you will be amazed at how easy is. All tours are guided by qualified PADI Divemasters or Instructors, who will introduce you to some fascinating characters such as Fur Seals, Octopus, and Crayfish. Also high on the list of things to see underwater in Kaikoura are kelp gardens and a myriad of colourful sponges and other invertebrates. Trips depart three times a day. In the morning we run a two-tank dive for experienced divers and in the afternoon two single seal dives for both experienced and inexperienced divers.