New Zealand

[Allan Carr]

The diving with dolphins in kaikoura is only done two days a week - that's all they are allowed to do to prevent the dolphins getting to used to it. When we did it, there were about 1500 dusky dolphins around and they are incredibly acrobatic, leaping out of the water. You will be snorkelling in water that is over a kilometre deep so don't try free diving to the bottom! Would also recommend going in in your drysuit if you have one, or your own semi-dry. They rent out wetsuits but the water is very cold. My elder son and I used their suits instead of our drysuits while my wife and younger son used their own semi-drys. They were warm and we were freezing.

[ahar]

The whale watching in Kairkora is also good, and as you're going around Feb it might be worth an afternoon kayaking around the bay as migrating Orcas come in close and munch on the seals and sharks. You can also dive around Kaikora - big cold water reef systems around there.

I've no idea why loads of kiwis keep moving over here - you'd never get me out of the water if I lived there!

[Keith Whittaker]

Hi,
Did 2 months in NZ on a round the world trip last year.
I can thoroughly recommend the Poor Knights, awesome diving and well worth their reputation. Mola mola, Bronze whaler sharks, green Morays, nudies, Caves, caverns, Kelp, truley fantastic.
Would also recommend diving off the Coramandel peninsula. Check out the guys at Dive Whitianga and go for dive off Cathedral cove from specially built dive Kayaks. Wonderful service and pretty cheap prices.

For a different Dolphin experience. The Banks peninsula next to Christchurch on the South Island offers the opportunity to swim with the smallest member of the Dolphin family. Hectors Dolphins are seriously endangered and pretty much restricted to NZ's South island. Only a metre long and cuter than a bucket of kittens. IMVHO this is an absolute must.

Have fun, you lucky sod

[Gunna Do]

Yeah umm errmmm...
Being a South Island kiwi. I can tell ya nearly all the best diving is in the North Island. .

Kaikora is great for dolphus and whale if a tad pricey for my taste ( But i am a local ).
I fully recommend Banks Peninsula or Akoroa for a great launch point. ( I saw a pod of Orcas at about 25mtrs, and fair wet meself for a moment).

The Michael Lermentov , I am doing with Dr Mary this weekend. so will post a report on that.

Jacksons Bay a must, heaps of sea life and monster crayfish

But the pick of the bunch is Fiordland, a no brainer, if your in the South for 2 weeks spend 10 of those days there, the scenery is just outstanding

Still drop me a pm, closer to the time your inbound and I,m sure we can hook you up some peninsula diving

regards
Steve