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New Zealand

© Shutterstock/Martin Vlnas

Explore New Zealand

New Zealand is famous as a land of rugged natural beauty, with coursing rivers, piercing mountain tops, pristine fjords and emerald green countryside. Below the water, the topography is no less varied and the diving here is diverse - sub-tropical reefs around North Island, fjords on South Island and wrecks around the Bay of Islands are just some of the options available. 

The country and its islands are sparsely populated, though the transport networks and visitors centres are excellent which makes getting around a breeze. As travel between islands usually requires a flight, be aware of scuba diving fly limits. 

There are dive centres dotted around the North and South Islands, with the higher density found in the north. On the South Island, they are concentrated around the largest cities of Christchurch, Blenheim and southernmost Dunedin. Dive resorts aren’t a popular phenomenon here and liveaboards exist but are rare, tending to stick around Poor Knights. Though New Zealand is not the most popular location in the world for diving courses, most good dive centres offer courses from introductions up to dive master.

Jacques Cousteau once said that New Zealand contained some of the top five dive sites in the world, speaking of the Poor Knights Marine Reserve. Much underrated as a diving destination, with over 15,000 kilometres of coastline, you will be glad you chose to dive in these virgin waters. Dolphins and seals are just some of the inquisitive encounters you might enjoy - sightings of whales are also not uncommon. Caves, kelp forests, wrecks and deep water drop offs, all encased in cool, clear water, are just some of the gems that await in this ancient, culture steeped land.

Power Plug Type
I
Payment Method
VISA, MC, AMEX, DIS, DC, JCB
Tipping
5–10% / Service Staff / Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory.
Airports
AKL
Currency
NZD
Dial Code
+64
Electricity
230V / 50Hz
Time
UTC+12, UTC+13

Top Regions to Explore

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  • SSI Open Water Diver

    SSI Open Water Diver

    This certification is recognized worldwide and is the best way to become a qualified diver on an adventure that will last a lifetime. The combination of personalized instruction and practical training sessions ensures that you gain the skills and experience of a confident, safe diver. At the end of the course you will receive the SSI Open Water Diver certification.Open Water Diving CourseYour first step into the world of recreational diving!Whether you want to dive with us in the beautiful Bay of Islands, or in any of the world's other amazing dive locations, your Open Water certification is the ticket you need.Our scuba diving course will run over 3 days.We use the MySSI app to complete the theory before starting the course. Once signed up to the course we will send you the codes so you can get started.The confined water sessions are done in a heated swimming pool. This allows you the time to master the skills required to progress to the open water.The first dive day is at the beach at Matauri Bay, this gives you a taste of shore diving. On the last day we head out to Deep Water Cove to complete the last 2 dives of the course. This area is a reserve so the diving is awesome!Upon certification you will be qualified to dive with a buddy to 18 metres/60 feet.We require a minimum of 2 students booked for the course to go ahead at this price. If you're the only person booked then the course will run as a private course($999.00 total price) or be rescheduled to another date.

    Paihia Dive, 35 Williams Road, 0247, Paihia, NZL
    July 3, 2026 +53 More
    $395.03
    NZ$699.00
    Try Scuba

    Try Scuba

    Looking for underwater adventure? Try SCUBA is the way to go! There is nothing like SCUBA diving! Its much easier than you think and the Try SCUBA entry level program is an ideal way to start exploring the magical world of the big blue ocean like you have never seen it before! On completion you will earn the SSI Try SCUBA recognition card and and learn to love the ocean from a completely new perspective. If you decide to become an Open Water Diver within the first six months, your Try Scuba open water dive will be recognized as one of the required dives. In order to truly enjoy your first underwater experience, an SSI Dive professional will teach you everything you need to know and under their guidance, you will learn the skills you need to enjoy this first experience underwater. Overview of the day - Meet at our dive shop in Warkworth around 8:30am (contact us if a later time suits better) - Dive theory introduction (you will get access to the e-learning when you sign up for your refresher course) - Drive to the dive site (approx. 20-30 mins, please contact us if you don't have your own transport) - Dive briefing - Skills practice shallow water - Continue the dive after the skills - Drive back to the shop & debrief, finish around 1:00 pm Included - Dive instructor - E-learning - Dive equipment - Skills in shallow water, shallow water dive Please bring - Swimsuit & towel - Dry and warm clothing for after the dive - Water & snacks/lunch Important - You need to be able to swim 200m and tread water for 10 minutes when signing up, for your own and your instructors safety in the water - All diving activities are weather dependent. Please read our T&C's before booking. - After completing your try dive, you can sign up for the Open Water Course!

    NEW ZEALAND DIVING, Unit 2, 9/23 Morrison Drive, 0910, Warkworth, NZL
    July 2, 2026 +2 More
    $155.41
    NZ$275.00

    Dive Centers

    Dive Sites

    Top Wildlife Sightings in New Zealand

    The marine life you can find here is abundant, varied and will put New Zealand firmly at the top of every divers’ bucket list. The cool, nutrient rich waters attract life from deep within the oceans. Macro life such as nudibranch adorn many rocky reefs while crustaceans ranging from tiny, translucent glass shrimp to big, confident lobsters all scuttle along the seafloor. A highlight for many are the spiny sea dragons huddling in the seaweed of Milford Sound.

    Small, iridescent fish hover in schools over the corals of the northern reefs and create aquarium-like vistas. The deep water draws in larger pelagic fish from the deep -  big game species like tuna, kingfish, blue cod, marlin and John Dory school and hunt out in the blue. The summer months can even bring the weird and wonderful mola mola and manta rays. 

    Sharks are drawn by these large fish numbers. Big sharks swim in deeper waters away from the dive sites but bronze whaler and mako sharks are seen, as well as the rare seven gill. Other predators include stingrays, moray eels and sea snakes, while less intimidating turtles sedately glide around the reefs. 

    New Zealand is marine mammal central - over half the worlds’ cetaceans are found here. Porpoises and dolphins are common sights and there are more penguin species found here than anywhere else in the world. Fur seals are a favourite, their inquisitive and playful dispositions have earned them the nickname of “puppies of the sea”!

    Whales are natives to these deep, nutrient abundant oceans. The planet’s largest animal, the blue whale, is endemic, are are humpbacks, southern rights and sperm whales. Poor Knights marine reserve offers a spectacular chance to see orcas feeding on the resident stingrays.

    Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 25

    Eagle Ray

    Eagle Ray

    1.3k Sightings
    J
    212
    F
    149
    M
    251
    A
    77
    M
    109
    J
    23
    J
    47
    A
    45
    S
    45
    O
    99
    N
    82
    D
    187

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 200

    Moray Eel

    Moray Eel

    1k Sightings
    J
    172
    F
    121
    M
    186
    A
    94
    M
    70
    J
    51
    J
    36
    A
    22
    S
    52
    O
    45
    N
    65
    D
    121

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 600

    Wrasse

    Wrasse

    788 Sightings
    J
    177
    F
    87
    M
    76
    A
    68
    M
    47
    J
    22
    J
    36
    A
    41
    S
    48
    O
    38
    N
    60
    D
    88

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 300

    Octopus

    Octopus

    482 Sightings
    J
    79
    F
    44
    M
    32
    A
    25
    M
    17
    J
    33
    J
    19
    A
    31
    S
    25
    O
    20
    N
    61
    D
    96
    Green Turtle

    Green Turtle

    122 Sightings
    J
    10
    F
    4
    M
    9
    A
    12
    M
    12
    J
    22
    J
    12
    A
    14
    S
    6
    O
    12
    N
    5
    D
    4

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 27

    Barracuda

    Barracuda

    83 Sightings
    J
    9
    F
    12
    M
    3
    A
    9
    M
    8
    J
    7
    J
    8
    A
    5
    S
    7
    O
    7
    N
    3
    D
    5

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 110

    Snapper

    Snapper

    3.2k Sightings
    J
    538
    F
    345
    M
    569
    A
    245
    M
    239
    J
    143
    J
    137
    A
    100
    S
    139
    O
    167
    N
    228
    D
    384

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 600

    Crayfish

    Crayfish

    1.8k Sightings
    J
    177
    F
    193
    M
    210
    A
    204
    M
    209
    J
    100
    J
    58
    A
    109
    S
    117
    O
    104
    N
    179
    D
    188

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 90

    Goatfish

    Goatfish

    1.5k Sightings
    J
    284
    F
    168
    M
    255
    A
    109
    M
    68
    J
    50
    J
    59
    A
    43
    S
    86
    O
    103
    N
    69
    D
    186

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 80

    Stingrays

    Stingrays

    1.1k Sightings
    J
    195
    F
    147
    M
    219
    A
    89
    M
    61
    J
    26
    J
    41
    A
    44
    S
    46
    O
    47
    N
    90
    D
    138

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 35

    Trout

    Trout

    807 Sightings
    J
    62
    F
    74
    M
    104
    A
    116
    M
    96
    J
    30
    J
    26
    A
    36
    S
    60
    O
    53
    N
    68
    D
    82

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 3000

    Nudibranch

    Nudibranch

    678 Sightings
    J
    100
    F
    93
    M
    71
    A
    53
    M
    21
    J
    26
    J
    15
    A
    19
    S
    45
    O
    54
    N
    53
    D
    128

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 60

    Spiny Lobster

    Spiny Lobster

    645 Sightings
    J
    94
    F
    78
    M
    93
    A
    48
    M
    38
    J
    46
    J
    34
    A
    13
    S
    35
    O
    49
    N
    55
    D
    62

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 250

    Scorpionfish

    Scorpionfish

    614 Sightings
    J
    110
    F
    73
    M
    83
    A
    54
    M
    53
    J
    18
    J
    17
    A
    19
    S
    38
    O
    32
    N
    51
    D
    66

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 2000

    Loach Goby

    Loach Goby

    567 Sightings
    J
    69
    F
    26
    M
    123
    A
    82
    M
    57
    J
    40
    J
    16
    A
    40
    S
    0
    O
    23
    N
    21
    D
    70

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 16

    Eel

    Eel

    550 Sightings
    J
    50
    F
    81
    M
    89
    A
    48
    M
    76
    J
    38
    J
    28
    A
    40
    S
    29
    O
    12
    N
    23
    D
    36

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 40

    Triggerfish

    Triggerfish

    469 Sightings
    J
    88
    F
    53
    M
    43
    A
    35
    M
    48
    J
    18
    J
    17
    A
    27
    S
    33
    O
    36
    N
    25
    D
    46

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 90

    Angelfish

    Angelfish

    376 Sightings
    J
    60
    F
    57
    M
    37
    A
    31
    M
    14
    J
    23
    J
    14
    A
    13
    S
    26
    O
    18
    N
    23
    D
    60

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 3

    Perch

    Perch

    371 Sightings
    J
    44
    F
    51
    M
    44
    A
    54
    M
    47
    J
    59
    J
    12
    A
    8
    S
    14
    O
    14
    N
    10
    D
    14

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 350

    Damselfish

    Damselfish

    311 Sightings
    J
    54
    F
    55
    M
    17
    A
    24
    M
    18
    J
    18
    J
    9
    A
    20
    S
    19
    O
    17
    N
    19
    D
    41

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 100

    Parrotfish

    Parrotfish

    257 Sightings
    J
    48
    F
    28
    M
    17
    A
    19
    M
    19
    J
    17
    J
    17
    A
    14
    S
    29
    O
    18
    N
    10
    D
    21

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 7000

    Crab

    Crab

    249 Sightings
    J
    27
    F
    8
    M
    32
    A
    11
    M
    10
    J
    6
    J
    6
    A
    21
    S
    23
    O
    20
    N
    35
    D
    50

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 130

    Butterfly Fish

    Butterfly Fish

    183 Sightings
    J
    24
    F
    22
    M
    7
    A
    11
    M
    13
    J
    17
    J
    17
    A
    12
    S
    23
    O
    15
    N
    8
    D
    14

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 55

    Lobster

    Lobster

    165 Sightings
    J
    18
    F
    16
    M
    40
    A
    13
    M
    8
    J
    2
    J
    4
    A
    18
    S
    9
    O
    14
    N
    12
    D
    11

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 40

    Jackfish

    Jackfish

    160 Sightings
    J
    19
    F
    20
    M
    31
    A
    10
    M
    7
    J
    8
    J
    12
    A
    8
    S
    17
    O
    1
    N
    16
    D
    11

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 130

    Pufferfish

    Pufferfish

    156 Sightings
    J
    29
    F
    11
    M
    17
    A
    15
    M
    8
    J
    8
    J
    14
    A
    7
    S
    13
    O
    15
    N
    5
    D
    14

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 28

    Clownfish

    Clownfish

    150 Sightings
    J
    13
    F
    11
    M
    5
    A
    11
    M
    9
    J
    15
    J
    26
    A
    10
    S
    22
    O
    12
    N
    7
    D
    9

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 8

    Bannerfish

    Bannerfish

    109 Sightings
    J
    13
    F
    14
    M
    4
    A
    1
    M
    5
    J
    5
    J
    19
    A
    9
    S
    12
    O
    8
    N
    3
    D
    16

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 250

    Grouper/Basslets

    Grouper/Basslets

    108 Sightings
    J
    15
    F
    17
    M
    9
    A
    8
    M
    5
    J
    7
    J
    8
    A
    6
    S
    14
    O
    10
    N
    4
    D
    5

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 150

    Sweetlips and Grunts

    Sweetlips and Grunts

    99 Sightings
    J
    16
    F
    10
    M
    7
    A
    7
    M
    4
    J
    7
    J
    12
    A
    9
    S
    14
    O
    6
    N
    7
    D
    0

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 22

    Cod

    Cod

    97 Sightings
    J
    18
    F
    7
    M
    16
    A
    17
    M
    2
    J
    1
    J
    2
    A
    0
    S
    7
    O
    3
    N
    4
    D
    20

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 9

    Fur Seal

    Fur Seal

    86 Sightings
    J
    10
    F
    12
    M
    8
    A
    9
    M
    2
    J
    2
    J
    1
    A
    0
    S
    7
    O
    4
    N
    15
    D
    16

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 60

    Soldierfish

    Soldierfish

    84 Sightings
    J
    10
    F
    9
    M
    2
    A
    3
    M
    3
    J
    7
    J
    12
    A
    8
    S
    12
    O
    9
    N
    0
    D
    9

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 20

    Porcupinefish

    Porcupinefish

    84 Sightings
    J
    7
    F
    11
    M
    5
    A
    7
    M
    11
    J
    4
    J
    8
    A
    4
    S
    4
    O
    9
    N
    6
    D
    8

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