Rainbow Warrior

I finished my dives in the cold water (15C) of New Zealand. I did only 2 dives in Kaikoura, 4 dives in Poor Knights islands and 2 dives in the Bay of Islands.

Viz was around 15-20m at best in the Poor Knights, 6-8m in Kaikoura and about the same in the Bay of Islands. It was full of salps all over the place and I have seen a specimen about 8m long. It is supposed to get better by the end of summer, as of now, salps is a bit annoying if not doing macro.

I was able to see critters I have never seen before and diving around kelps rather than coral was hmm... different and interesting. But really I prefer coral.

If I come back that would be to dive Kaikoura for dusky dolphins and seals (late summer again is preferred)

As for the Rainbow Warrior that our kiwi friends rate as one of the top 10 wreck, IMHO you can safely give it a miss. It is only interesting for the historical value alone (well if you are french of frog hater that is). Here is a picture (no flash activated, too much particules and salps for that):

Pictures can be seen on my weblog.

You should have checked out the Mikhail Lermontov, now THAT'S a wreck! a 120m long Russian Cruise ship lying on it's side in 36m of water, it sunk about hmmm 20 years ago? I have heard the Rainbow warrior wasn't up to much divewise, but in my opinion you missed the best dives, when in Kaikoura you should have gone to the Lermontov ... not far out of Picton. And instead of the Warrior you should have dived extra at the Poor Knights Islands, did you check out the HMNZS Waikato?. Don't you hate it when people tell you that stuff AFTER you've been! Of course these are just my own opinions and while I am from New Zealand I haven't dived there much as I learnt to dive in Australia where I now live.

Unfortunately I did not do much diving because I was a little bit in a hurry and wanted to look also on the top side of sheep-land.

I knew about the Lermontov (175m !!) but did not stay long enough in Picton. I would not mind diving Milford Sound as well due to the different eco-system. I did the Rainbow Warrior only because I'm French, it's kind of a pilgrimage

I would like to come again but later in summer as it apparently gets clearer (and warmer !!!), and if I come that would be more to get pictures of the dusky dolphins in Kaikoura !

Don't forget to dive the Springs!

I'll say nothing about the wreck because I still get beat up in emotion having lost a friend.