2025 NZ Dive Info

[ronocnikral]

Hi, it seems NZ is proud of their diving, but I am having a difficult time finding information about diving outside of Poor Knights. And even within Poor Knights. I'll be in NZ Dec 26 to Jan 6. My wife and rest of the family, all non-divers, want to head to Queenstown and the Fiordland, but I have a few days to break away and dive.

I have the following questions:

• I finally got a hold of Northland, which a 2 or 3 day trip with them to Poor Knights would be ideal for me. My American English must not have gotten translated correctly, as I was asking about Dec 26th on and they just replied they aren't going out on boxing day. Anyone ever dived with Northland? Is the trip worth it? Or best to just book back-to-back days with Dive Tutukaka? Any other Poor Knights operators to check out?
• Any South - South Island dive operators? It appears Milford Sound looks to be a good option, but I can't find any dive operators going out. The only one goes to a dead link.

Thanks in advance for any advice offered.

 

[Jcp2]

Boxing Day in Commonwealth nations is December 26th, the day after Christmas, where one would leave a gift in a box for service people who assist your household (postman mostly).

 

[Tom_Ivan]

South island diving is super weather dependant.
Godive pacific runs trips to the Lumintov. A massive Russian cruise liner that sank in 36m of water in the 80s. The top of the wreck is at about 15m. The service Brent provides has declined recently and the price has risen, however he is the only operator that I know of.
Kaikoura has some great shore diving If you get lucky. I've dived with dolphins, seals, Kingfish etc. No sharks yet but they are around. If the weather has been fine for weeks then it's great. If it's been raining in the hills then it'll be terrible.
Milford used to have a diver operator but they closed down. West coast kiwis are pretty chill and I suspect if you asked around you'd get a ride out on a fishing boat. Don't expect your normal dive charter service though. The good stuff is down at 30m.
The rest of the west coast has great shore diving when the conditions are good. This happens about 3days a year...
Stuart Island has large kelp forests and great white sharks.

Bring a thick Wetsuit.

 

[clownfishsydney]

I dived with Northland in 2011, I think it is still under the same ownership. Onsite accommodation was great, their operation was great and the diving was great. Highly recommended.

Dive Tutukaka is also very good, but a bigger operation. The Poor Knights are as good as any location I have dived in the past 36 years and over 5,000 dives.

As pointed out, basically they said they are not open 26 December, Boxing Day, a public holiday here and there.

 

[MB NZ]

I've dived with Northland Dive several times at Bay of Islands sites (Google Canterbury wreck). They are a good operation, but for location, go with Dive Tutukaka for the Poor Knights. I'm not surprised dive shops are closed on Boxing Day.

 

[ronocnikral]

Thanks for the info.

Just to point out, I'm not complaining that people are closed on boxing day. Rather, the misinterpretation of me being available from the 26th on.

I'll check out some of the recommendations you have provided. Thank you for the input, and I'm welcome to more if anyone has them.

 

[SurteesDiver]

I'm not sure Tom's right about Descend Diving in Milford Sound shutting down? I don't think that they do much over winter, so maybe not responding yet. The diving in Milford Sound is stunning... worth trying to email info@descend.co.nz

 

[SurteesDiver]

If you are passing through Wellington the marine reserve on the South Coast is lovely and you can shore dive over the road from Dive Wellington. They will also take you out to the F69 navy frigate sunk for divers... also worth a look.
Up north, Northland Dive, Piahia Dive, and Dive Tutukaka are all good operators. The first two are smaller family type businesses and lovely to dive with. Dive Tutukaka is pretty big.

 

[SurteesDiver]

Sorry, should expand a bit on the Northland Dive option. They operate a launch that takes about 8 divers so you stay out at the Poor Knights for 2 or 3 days depending on the option you take. This is great because you get way more dives. However, as a small business they book their trips into the calendar ahead of time, and they are showing a trip or they are not going at that time. They use the launch for longer charters to the likes of Fisheries NZ and that commitment comes first I think. They have two large RIBs that they use to take divers out to the HMNZS Canterbury (sister ship to the F69). This is also a great dive and likely much more available. If Northland isn't going to the knights, then definitely book with Dive Tutukaka... you'll have a great day.

 

[MB NZ]

Sorry, should expand a bit on the Northland Dive option. They operate a launch that takes about 8 divers so you stay out at the Poor Knights for 2 or 3 days depending on the option you take. This is great because you get way more dives. However, as a small business they book their trips into the calendar ahead of time, and they are showing a trip or they are not going at that time. They use the launch for longer charters to the likes of Fisheries NZ and that commitment comes first I think. They have two large RIBs that they use to take divers out to the HMNZS Canterbury (sister ship to the F69). This is also a great dive and likely much more available. If Northland isn't going to the knights, then definitely book with Dive Tutukaka... you'll have a great day.

I didn't realise Northland Dive ran a liveaboard now. That's great!