Tourists are always addicted to being in the best places. Are you finding the best diving places to show off your scuba diving skills in New Zealand? well, it is a dream for many divers scuba diving in New Zealand. we have many great surprises for you because New Zealand is heaven for Scuba Divers on earth.
Let’s make your next holidays everlasting by giving you choices to visit multiple dive places and turn them into unforgettable memories. No matter whether you are a newbie or expert in Scuba Diving You can do snorkel or scuba activities in the below-mentioned places.
1- Poor Knights Islands
Poor Knights Islands is the most visited Island in Auckland and is also known as the best dive site for Scuba divers. It’s a group of Islands where you can find four dive spots; each spot gives a hypnotizing view.
Poor knight Island provides opportunities for divers who do not know how to dive. They can dive here with a snorkeling kit and enjoy the most adventurous sight.
There are different species of Fish here you can also find different breeds of turtles, whales, and crabs. Additionally, you will find a variety of arches, caves, tunnels, and walls along the islands’ crystal clear waters. Do not forget to add this place to your next visit list
Fact: The Poor Knights are home to the Rikoriko Cave, one of the largest sea caves in the world.
2- Goat Island
Aside from Snapper, Crayfish, and Blue Cod, Goat Island is another great place to dive in New Zealand. This island has shallow waters that are ideal for swimming, and the dive spots range from 9 to 18 meters deep. The ocean floor contains a variety of habitats beneath the surface of the waves, including exposed rocky shores at low tide, cliffs, canyons, deep reefs, and sand flats.
Seaweed forests, sea squirts, sponges, anemones, and shellfish are some of the creatures that inhabit each of these habitats. Getting up close and personal with the undersea community and taking some awesome underwater photographs is one of the best things about scuba diving in New Zealand.
3- Lermontov Wreck
Lermontov Wreck is among the top 5 best scuba dive places in New Zealand. It is considered one of the largest diveable wrecks discovered by man and lies on the sea bed on its starboard side. This wreck is the hub of blue and red cod, blennies, dogfish, sea perch, carpet sharks, octopus, and an occasional kingfish.
4- Kaikoura
It is noteworthy that Kaikoura’s beaches are a haven for dusky dolphins, albatrosses, New Zealand fur seals, and sperm whales. It is an incredible experience to dive into these waters and swim alongside these majestic mammals. You will not believe how breathtakingly beautiful the kelp forests and limestone reefs are once you come across them. In New Zealand, Kaikoura is great for unwinding, relaxing, and scuba diving. Before heading back to your hotel, grab a plate of crayfish. It won’t disappoint you!
5- Tui Wreck – Tutukaka Island
If you are a wreck diver, so another interesting diving place for you. Tutukaka Island is famous as Tui Island. This name was set after a large vessel that was sunk at this site. Upon entering the deep blue waters of this dive site, you will see the debris of the vessel, including Golden snapper and a variety of interesting fish species.
6- Aramoana Mole
Aramoana Mole in New Zealand can be easily accessed from Dunedin. You can explore stunning underwater forests and their vibrant inhabitants here. You would surely be witnessing seals along your way to this mesmerizing spot. The water of southern South Island tends to be cold and carry your gear to enjoy your diving session.
7- Rainbow Warrior
Located in Matauri Bay in the Bay of Islands, the Rainbow Warrior was the flagship vessel for Greenpeace. She was sunk by the French foreign intelligence in 1985 while docked at the Auckland waterfront. The subsequent explosions resulted in the death of Fernando Pereira, a Portuguese-Dutch photographer. He had returned to the ship to gather his camera equipment after the first blast. After authorities refloated the ship for forensic examinations, it was relocated to Matauri Bay and scuttled as an artificial reef. It’s a popular wreck dive with not only an interesting history. The wreck also offers divers colorful jewel anemones, John Dory, kingfish, moray eels, and crayfish.
8- Fiordland National Park
Milford Sound is a fiord located on the upper part of Fiordland National Park, accessed only through Milford Road from Te Anau. It is considered a top attraction worldwide, offering landscapes of unique beauty and wild nature. It hosts two permanent waterfalls and several temporary ones, created during heavy rainfalls. The fiord has an exquisite underwater environment and marine life, making it one of the best destinations for scuba divers.
During your dive, you will see the rare black and red corals (up to 6 m/19 ft tall) and over 150 fish species, all protected here in the marine reserve. The uniqueness of the fiord is that the water from the rainfalls does not mix with seawater, and thus stays on the surface, preventing the sunlight from reaching great depths and creating a unique marine world.
So, visit this unique place as soon as possible and enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience!!
9- Kapiti Island
Kapiti Island is popular for its cheese and ice cream which is popularly known as Kapiti. The place is also known for its enormous range of wildlife species inhabiting offshore as well as onshore. The place also lures visitors with its exclusive spearfishing experiences. This island is considered the best site for scuba diving in Wellington, New Zealand.
10- White Island
Whakaari Island is also famous for the name “White Island”. It’s the most active Volcano in New Zealand. It is situated 48 KM off the coast of Whatakane on the North Island.
Currently, this is not accessible for Scuba divers after the sad incident which took place on 09 December 2019. White Island volcano erupted while around 47 people were on the Island, Several travel groups and their guides. Sadly, 22 people died and many others got injured at Whakaari.
FAQs
Final Thoughts
Now after writing about the 10 best places to dive in New Zealand. In my opinion, Poor Knight Island is the best among all the dive places. I am concluding my article if you think, I missed something or forgot to add any diving place. Please, write in the comment section.
You may also like to read Best Diving places in Fiji.