Paihia Dive
35 Williams Road, 0247 Paihia, Nova Zelandija
Raziščite Paihio
Paihia je glavno turistično mesto v čudovitem zalivu otokov. S 144 otoki in zalivi je Zaliv otokov eden najboljših morskih parkov na Novi Zelandiji. Podvodna pokrajina, ki se nahaja na Severnem otoku, ima korenine v vulkanskem izvoru, s čudovitimi grebeni z visokimi stenami, jamami, predori in kopališči. Poleg tega, da je Paihia ena najbolj privlačnih podvodnih pokrajin Nove Zelandije, je tudi dom dveh zgodovinsko pomembnih brodolomov. Edinstvena lokacija potapljačem omogoča, da na isti lokaciji opazujejo tako ribe zmernega kot tropskega pasu, kjer živi največji skata na svetu - kratkodlaki rak -, obiščejo pa jih tudi morske želve, mante in celo kitovi morski psi!
V Paihii je en potapljaški center, ki ponuja potapljanje v Zalivu otokov ter potapljaške tečaje, ki segajo od prve potapljaške izkušnje do profesionalnega potapljanja. Ponuja dva potopa v enem dnevu, potapljaška ladja pa odpluje s pomola v Paihii in se odpravi proti zalivu otokov.
Najboljši meseci za potapljanje v Paihii
Potapljanje v Paihii je najboljše pozno poleti in jeseni, ko temperatura vode v Otoškem zalivu doseže 22 ℃, vidljivost pa je lahko do 40 metrov. V tem obdobju na območju pihajo tudi vzhodni vetrovi, ki na obalo potiskajo odprte vode, na obalo pa prihajajo morske želve, mante in bolj na odprtem morju neverjetni kitovski morski psi.
V pozni zimi in zgodnji pomladi je povprečna temperatura vode okoli 15 ℃, vidljivost pa ostaja spoštljivih 15-20 metrov. Če pakirate svojo mokro obleko, je priporočljivo, da pozimi vzamete 7-milimetrsko mokro obleko in uporabljate kapuco, škornje in rokavice, poleti pa se lahko, če imate debelo kožo, zadovoljite s 3-milimetrsko mokro obleko.
Potapljaški centri
Top Paihia Dive Sites
1. HMNZS Canterbury
The HMNZS Canterbury is an artificial reef located in Deep Water Cove near Cape Brett. It offers an advanced scuba diving experience, featuring multiple swim-throughs and resting upright in 37 meters of water. Marine life includes anemones, sponges, and colorful fish. It's a technical dive recommended for experienced divers.
2. Rainbow Warrior
The Rainbow Warrior wreck is a historic site perfect for experienced scuba divers. Sunk off the coast of New Zealand, it serves as a refuge for diverse marine life, including schools of fish and colorful invertebrates. This site is renowned for its environmental significance and stunning underwater photography opportunities.
3. Urupukapuka Island
Urupukapuka Island offers various dive sites suitable for both beginners and advanced divers. Scuba diving here provides encounters with kingfish, nudibranchs, and banded coral shrimps. Notable sites include the deep pinnacle of West Albert Bump and Hope Reef, with its vibrant scallop beds.
4. Bird Rock
Bird Rock is ideal for macro-photography enthusiasts and accessible to advanced scuba divers. The site hosts nudibranchs and banded coral shrimps, with occasional sightings of bronze whaler sharks and marlin. Its dramatic underwater walls add an adventure element for seasoned divers.
5. Cape Brett (Freediving Possible)
Cape Brett is a site where both scuba and freediving are possible, offering dramatic underwater landscapes with caves and tunnels. The area is rich with kelp forests and a variety of fish species, making it an ecological hotspot. It provides an adventure level suitable for both intermediate and advanced divers.