New Zealand is well known for its tremendous beauty in all sorts of landscapes, its friendly people, the vast empty spaces and its unique wildlife.

For many people, it comes as a surprise that it also harbours some excellent dive sports, mainly located at the Northern Island. It is far less well-known for scuba diving as neighbouring Australia, but we can definitely recommend New Zealand if you are looking for some spectacular diving. You have to be hardy enough to withstand some cold water though, especially during the winter time.

Northern Island

On the Northern Island you can dive year round, although the water temperatures can be quite low during winter time. It is worth while to withstand some cold though, because there are a lot of interesting dive spots to explore. One of the most interesting ones is a wreck dive to The Rainbow Warrior from the Bay of Islands. There are many other dive spots in this New Zealand Riviera. Another brilliant dive destination are the Poor Knights Islands, which you can reach from a small town called Tutakaka.

Southern Island

On the southern Island you can only reasonably dive during the summer time, unless you are the proud owner of a dry suit. It is very close to the South Pole and gets icy currents as well. There are multiple kelp forests and a variety of interesting marine life.

A great place for a dive is the Banks Peninsula, close to Christchurch, where you can dive with the smallest dolphins on earth (Hector Dolphins) from a little town called Akaroa.

In the Marlborough Sounds you can dive for shellfish with the locals and encounter some engaging dolphins.

One of the most interesting places on earth with regard to marine environments is Kaikoura. Here you can find whales, dolphins and New Zealand fur seals to swim with on your dive.