>

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

Places to explore

Courses and Events

Open Water Diver

This globally-recognized certification program is the best way to begin your life-long adventure as a certified scuba diver. Personalized training is combined with in-water practice sessions to ensure you have the skills and experience required to become truly comfortable underwater, and you will love the ocean from a completely new perspective. The SSI Open Water Diver course consists of three main phases: - Knowledge Development to understand basic principles of scuba diving. You will get access to the e-learning, which should be completed before the course starts - Confined Water Dives (pool training) to learn basic scuba skills and complete the water fitness evaluation - 4 Open Water Dives to review your skills and explore! - Learn all about your scuba gear with SSI scuba lessons. In the SSI Open Water Diver course, you learn to use basic scuba gear including a dive computer, and standard accessories. The equipment you wear varies somewhat, depending upon whether you're diving in tropical, temperate or cold water. Minimum Age: 10 Days: 3 Course is usually done in 3 consecutive days, but can be run over 2 weekends or over several weeks. Our scheduling is flexible - please contact us for alternative schedules. Overview of the course - Day 1: Skill practice & water fitness evaluation We usually meet at Newmarket Olympic Pool in Auckland at 10am, and we will be finished at 3pm. On a Saturday or Sunday we'll usually do our pool training between 1pm and 6pm. We will confirm this after booking, as it might change depending on the pools availability. - Day 2: Open water dives 1 & 2 We'll meet at our dive shop in Warkworth at 8:30am. Here we will get our gear ready, brief you for the dives and you will complete the theory exam. Afterwards we'll head to one of our local marine reserves for 2 dives, with a surface interval on the beach in between dives. We expect to finish around 3pm. - Day 3: Open water dives 3 & 4 We'll meet at our dive shop in Warkworth at 8:30. After getting our gear ready, we'll head to the dive site for the last 2 dives of the course. We expect to finish between 2 and 3pm. Included - Dive instructor - E-learning - Dive equipment - Pool skill session and 4 open water dives - Certification after completing the course successfully Please bring - Swimsuit & towel - Dry and warm clothing for after the dive - Water, snacks and lunch Important - E-learning needs to be completed before the course. We will give you access when signing up, and it can be completed on a laptop, computer or online app (phone). - You need to be able to swim 200m unassisted and tread water for 10 minutes. If you're unable to do this, you can't start the course and are not eligible for a refund.

May 5, 2026 +3 More
$413.29
NZ$699.00

Deep Diving

If you dream of exploring the big blue this specialty is for you. Many exciting dive sites, including historical wrecks and deep walls and drop offs, are located in deeper water. The SSI Deep Diving Specialty will give you the ability to safely and comfortably plan and conduct dives beyond 18 meters, and is a prerequisite for some advanced training. Without proper training, this kind of diving puts you at risk. To scuba dive with confidence at depths down to 40 meters, you should take the SSI Deep Diving Specialty. During the course we cover deep diving equipment, dive planning, decompression theory & more! Overview of the course - Online theory - to be completed before the dives - Boat charter and dives included. Location depends on the date, options are The Poor Knights, HMNZS Waikato Wreck, Little Barrier Island & more! - 3 deep dives are mandatory for your deep diver certification. If you've completed your advanced adventurer course or adventure deep dive, this 1 dive will count towards the certification. - Deep diver exam - Max training depth: 40m - Minimum age: 15m Included - Dive instructor - E-learning - Dive equipment - Training dives - Certification after completing the course successfully Please bring - Swimsuit & towel - Dry and warm clothing for after the dive - Water, snacks and lunch Important - We will give you access to the e-learning when signing up, and it can be completed on a laptop, computer or online app (phone).. - We offer SSI and SDI deep diver courses. If you have a preference for a specific agency - let us know after booking. - Our boat is a 7m RHIB, with limited space for bags and personal belongings. Please bring only what you need (water bottle, sunscreen/hat and food) and leave everything else in the car for after the trip. - All diving activities are weather dependent. Please read our T&C's before booking. Upon completion, you will earn your SSI Deep Diving Specialty certification and be able to explore beautiful deep dive sites wherever you choose. This SSI Specialty is also a prerequisite for some advanced training, making it the next logical step to take in your dive education.

April 30, 2026 +13 More
$325.19
NZ$550.00

Stress & Rescue

The Diver Stress & Rescue Course is an important step in expanding your knowledge and experience as a diver. You will learn to prepare for unexpected emergencies, and how to avoid, recognize, and solve problems on the surface and under the water. Stress is a major cause of diving accidents and negatively impacts rescue situations. This program teaches you the skills and knowledge required to recognize and deal with stress, prevent accidents and properly deal with emergency situations encountered by divers. You will learn to perform diver assists and rescues, manage dive accident situations and render first aid. You will earn the SSI Diver Stress and Rescue Specialty certification after completing this program. Minimum Age: 12 Certification Prerequisites: Open Water Diver - Students must have proof of current training (within 2 years) of First Aid, CPR & O2 Provider We recommend having at least 20 logged dives and an advanced or specialty diver certification before starting your rescue course. The more comfortable you are under water, the more you'll get out of your training! Course overview: The course will be run over 2 or 3 days, depending on your experience and conditions. Included - Dive instructor - E-learning - Dive equipment - Training dives - Certification after completing the course successfully Please bring - Swimsuit & towel - Dry and warm clothing for after the dive - Water, snacks and lunch Important - We offer First Aid (including CPR) and O2 Provider training as well. Send us a message to book in if you don't have a current certification. - E-learning needs to be completed before the course. We will give you access when signing up, and it can be completed on a laptop, computer or online app (phone). - You need to be able to swim 200m unassisted and tread water for 10 minutes. If you're unable to do this, you can't start the course and are not eligible for a refund. - We offer SSI and SDI rescue courses. If you have a preference for a specific agency - let us know after booking.

May 2, 2026 +1 More
$393.19
NZ$665.00

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!

April 29, 2026 +30 More
$162.60
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

1.3k Sightings
J
212
F
149
M
249
A
77
M
93
J
23
J
47
A
45
S
45
O
96
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

999 Sightings
J
172
F
119
M
185
A
85
M
47
J
51
J
36
A
22
S
52
O
44
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

765 Sightings
J
177
F
87
M
76
A
56
M
37
J
22
J
36
A
41
S
48
O
37
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

477 Sightings
J
79
F
44
M
31
A
25
M
13
J
33
J
19
A
31
S
25
O
20
N
61
D
96

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

Total number of species approx.: 110

Snapper

3.2k Sightings
J
538
F
343
M
569
A
224
M
210
J
129
J
137
A
100
S
139
O
166
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

1.8k Sightings
J
177
F
193
M
210
A
190
M
195
J
97
J
58
A
109
S
109
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

1.5k Sightings
J
284
F
168
M
255
A
102
M
61
J
46
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

1.1k Sightings
J
195
F
144
M
218
A
82
M
43
J
22
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

764 Sightings
J
62
F
74
M
104
A
113
M
67
J
27
J
26
A
36
S
52
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

663 Sightings
J
100
F
93
M
70
A
47
M
18
J
23
J
15
A
19
S
45
O
52
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

627 Sightings
J
94
F
78
M
91
A
43
M
37
J
36
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

582 Sightings
J
110
F
73
M
82
A
43
M
33
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

540 Sightings
J
69
F
26
M
123
A
65
M
47
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

529 Sightings
J
50
F
81
M
89
A
48
M
63
J
38
J
28
A
40
S
21
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

461 Sightings
J
88
F
53
M
43
A
36
M
42
J
15
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

367 Sightings
J
60
F
57
M
37
A
31
M
9
J
19
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

365 Sightings
J
44
F
51
M
44
A
53
M
47
J
54
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

305 Sightings
J
54
F
55
M
17
A
25
M
15
J
14
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

251 Sightings
J
48
F
28
M
17
A
20
M
15
J
15
J
17
A
14
S
29
O
17
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

244 Sightings
J
27
F
8
M
32
A
10
M
8
J
5
J
6
A
21
S
23
O
19
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

175 Sightings
J
24
F
22
M
7
A
11
M
10
J
13
J
17
A
12
S
23
O
14
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

160 Sightings
J
18
F
16
M
40
A
12
M
6
J
2
J
4
A
18
S
9
O
12
N
12
D
11