diving new zealands northern island

i will be in new zealand on the north island for 3 days in september and was wondering if there are any "must do" dives and who the best groups to go with are. i will be traveling with my wide angle kit only if that helps.

thanks a lot guys.

I would recommend the Poor Knights for good variety and nice wide angle opportunities. There are lots of shops / boats in that area to take you out. To get started researching here are two sites for info:

http://www.divenewzealand.com/index.asp?s1...Destinations#nz

http://www.scubadive.net.nz/

I would recommend the Poor Knights for good variety and nice wide angle opportunities. There are lots of shops / boats in that area to take you out. To get started researching here are two sites for info:

 

http://www.divenewzealand.com/index.asp?s1...Destinations#nz

 

http://www.scubadive.net.nz/

thanks a lot ill be sure to check that out. is there any particular opportunities for big animal encounters. ie shark dives, seal dolphin or whale encounters? just throwin it out there. that would be ideal.

Probably not, at least not off the North Island. Sorry

I second the Poor Knights. The best operator is Dive Tutukaka.

Mary

I second the Poor Knights. The best operator is Dive Tutukaka.

 

Mary

I'd recommend Dive! Tutukaka as well. Top-notch service when we went. Expect about an hour or so to get out to the Knights from the harbor on the main island. The Knights also have some unique structure from the surface as well, you'll wish you had more opportunities to check out more sites. Dive! Tutukaka's day boat was comfortable enough, enclosed/covered area for shelter, small upper canopy deck for warming up if the sun is out. They served us fresh bread and chicken noodle soup during the surface interval, the soup was nice to warm us up. There's not a lot of room for large camera rigs, so set up at the harbor beforehand is important. Expect everything from Nudibranchs to fish subjects among the kelp and very colorful corals. Surge can be common but nothing too crazy. Sharks were sighted in the deeper depths, playing in and out of the thermoclines. Two dives/day trip were the norm, they may offer additional options. Besides the Knights, there are also wreck dives to be had on the north island. We were there in October and since you are coming into the beginning of spring, expect slightly colder water and hopefully good viz. When we went, the temp registered by the boat was about 14-16deg C

New Zealand is an amazing place, have a great trip.

I'd recommend Dive! Tutukaka as well. Top-notch service when we went. Expect about an hour or so to get out to the Knights from the harbor on the main island. The Knights also have some unique structure from the surface as well, you'll wish you had more opportunities to check out more sites. Dive! Tutukaka's day boat was comfortable enough, enclosed/covered area for shelter, small upper canopy deck for warming up if the sun is out. They served us fresh bread and chicken noodle soup during the surface interval, the soup was nice to warm us up. There's not a lot of room for large camera rigs, so set up at the harbor beforehand is important. Expect everything from Nudibranchs to fish subjects among the kelp and very colorful corals. Surge can be common but nothing too crazy. Sharks were sighted in the deeper depths, playing in and out of the thermoclines. Two dives/day trip were the norm, they may offer additional options. Besides the Knights, there are also wreck dives to be had on the north island. We were there in October and since you are coming into the beginning of spring, expect slightly colder water and hopefully good viz. When we went, the temp registered by the boat was about 14-16deg C

 

New Zealand is an amazing place, have a great trip.

thanks a lot guys i guess dive tutukaka it is. i really appreciate it!