New Zealand

[Forest Diver]

I am lucky enough to be going to New Zealand in Feb next year can ayone reccomend good dive sites and or operators. I have 2 weeks on South Island and a week on the North. Would be particularly interested if there is any snorkling with dolphins (special request from 7yr old daughter...)

[Chardy]

Neil,

everyone is jealous and therefore won't help!!!!!!!!!!!!

How are you, you lucky s0d

Paul

[Silkie]

Hi there,

I dive with a guy from New Zealand occasionally and I'm sure he would be able to point you in the right direction.

His name is Tim and I know he won't mind you emailing him.

Timothy@FromNZ.Net

Best Wishes

Silkie (Tony)

[DecoWarrior]

dived off pacific hideaway top boat very friendly and very helpful poor nights are very nice diving well worth as few dips up there

if you are in the tutaka area head into the sports bar and have a look at the pics of the salvaged gold from the niagara amazing!!!!!! and worth an excuse for a beer!

[Little Pete]

For snorkelling with dolphins you want to go to Kaikoura on the south island. It's about 2 hours drive North of Christchurch IIRC and it's such a stunningly beautiful place to live even without the dolphins and such.

[Snash]

Poor Knights is a must do. Everyone raves about Dive Tutakaka - they are certainly the biggest operator, but I would seek out one of the smaller operators as they seemed a bit too "pile em high - cattle boat" for my liking.

Rainbow Warrior a great dive and a good one for the log-book. Gary Gillbanks who operates from the Matauri Bay camp-site (which is below the Rainbow Warrior memorial) is a good kiwi bloke and pretty laid back.

Snorkelling with dolphins can be done from Bay of Islands (Russell is more pleasant than Pahia). However when we went there were young around, so we could not get in the water which was a shame, but it was still a great blast.

Goat Island north north of Dorkland is worth a stop.

Michael Lermentov in the south island - must do wreck.

Weird but amazing is the diving down in Milford Sound with black corals growing at 15ms. Amazing journey from Te Anau to get there - an adventure in itself.

Wife is a kiwi and spent 4 months there last year as part of a round the world trip. Going back in April for a friend's wedding - yeehah.

Check out this web site for all diving details:

www.divenewzealand.com

If you have any specific questions just shout. BTW - great time of year to go.

Cheers

Snash

[Pez]

very jealous, I spent 6 weeks down there doing some great dives in the Fiords with Lance on the breaksea girl http://www.fiordland.gen.nz/bg.htm
great skipper who knows and loves the place. Up north we used the pacific Hideaway which has since been sold and is no longer in the area. Our trip is at www.bubbledownunder.org.uk might give you some ideas.
Rainbow Warrior is a great little dive as are the Poor Knights, White Island is worth a look if you are in the Rotorua area.

Enjoy

[divingniknaks]

Bay of islands is also fantastic for diving.

Jealous ! Moi ? Non. Much.






.

[divegyrl]

Dr Mary is out there working at the moment, she posted some great pictures and a report about diving in Tatakuka last weekend here

I'm sure she would be happy to answer any questions if you pm her.

[Forest Diver]

Thanks everyone for the help and advice this site is a fantastic place to pose questions superb and thanks again for all your replies......countin the days....