Are you a Safe Scuba Diver?
We hope so! One of the easiest ways to stay safe is to ensure your Scuba gear is in good working condition.  That means getting your BCD, Regulator, and Tanks serviced and tested regularly. If you periodically get your gear serviced, then you are already a winner in our books, but we would like to reward and encourage you even more…

Get your gear serviced or tanks tested this September and be in to WIN!

Get your equipment serviced and/or your tanks tested during the months of August and September and be in with a chance to win $150 valid in store*.

For every tank tested (hydro or visual), get your name in the draw once.

For every BCD fully serviced, get your name in the draw once.

For every Reg fully serviced, get your name in the draw twice!

One lucky winner will be drawn on Saturday 8^th October to win a $150 voucher valid in the Dive HQ Christchurch shop.

*Voucher valid for purchases in the Dive HQ shop – excludes trips and courses. Voucher valid for six months.

Why get your gear serviced?

Your Dive Gear is your underwater life support system, so please don’t let it fail you or your buddy when you need it the most! Over time, o-rings and seals can perish, hoses need pressure checking and potentially replacing. A good clean out of the insides of your gear is never a bad thing either!

Gear that is regularly serviced ensures you with a smooth, safe dive! It also means any potential problems can be picked up early to prevent an incident.

When to get your gear serviced?

Regulators – Annually, or every 6 – 12 months if you dive more than 100 dives a year, or as per the manufacturers recommendation.
BCDs – Annually – as with regs, it is best to get your BCD serviced every year, or more often if you are a very regular diver!
Tanks – Visual Test Every Year and HYDRO every second year. (Note: A Visual is also performed when you have a HYDRO test done)

What next?

If you would like to learn more about servicing, and what goes on inside your regs, you can become a PADI Equipment Specialist. 

Ask us for more information about the Equipment Specialist course! Call us on 0800 DIVEHQ (348347), or visit us at 103 Durham St South.

One of the most common issues for Divers is equalizing your ears.

There can be many reasons for this such as congestion due to a cold, swimmer’s ear, narrow Eustachian tubes, or other pre-existing issues and damage from barotrauma.

I have always had sensitive ears, and after suffering a barotrauma I worried that this would stop me diving, but after doing some research and trials at the deep end of the pool, I found an equalizing method that works for me.  I’ve compiled a list of tricks and tips, the first 4 are pre-dive and the rest apply to the dive itself.

Hopefully there’s one or a combination of tips that work for you, and remember don’t push it – there’s always next time.

Here are a few other tips, these are things to thing about before going diving:

• Avoid milk and other dairy products that may increase your mucus production.
• Avoid tobacco and alcohol: like dairy they can increase your mucus levels.
• Start clearing your ears early – even hours before you dive.
• Chew gum before diving, this keeps you swallowing which is opening your Eustachian tubes.

 Once you’re in the water think about these pointers:

• Equalise at the Surface – this can help you get down the first metre and can also inflate your Eustachian – remember, be gentle!
• Descend feet first – it can be much harder to clear with you head down.
• Look up as you descend. This stretches the tubes, I often stretch my neck from left to right as well to help extend the stretch.
• Use a descent line – this will help you control the speed of your descent.
• MOST IMPORTANTLY – STOP IF IT HURTS! Your Eustachian tubes have been blocked by the pressure differential. Ascend a metre or two and try equalising again gently.

Clearing Methods

The most common method is the Valsalva Manoeuvre – this is the most common method, you pinch you nose then blow gently. Be aware of how hard you are blowing as too much pressure could rupture an ear drum. Never blow for more than 5 seconds before taking a break. The problem with this method as it doesn’t open the Eustachian tubes, instead air is forced up into them but this won’t work if the tubes are already locked due to a pressure differential.

Another common one is the Toynbee Manoeuvre – you start with pinching your nose, and while holding it – swallow. The motion of swallowing opens the tubes while the movement of your tongue forces compressed air against them.

The Lowrey Manoeuver combines the Valsalva and Toynbee and this is one that works well for me. While holding your nose – blow gently and swallow at the same time.

The Frenzel Manoeuvre requires you pinching your nose and closing the back of your throat (as you would do when straining to lift something). Then try making the sound of the letter ‘K’, closing you throat is opening the Eustachian tubes and making the ‘K’ sound forces air against the opening.

The Edmonds Technique involves tensing the soft palate – this is the soft tissue at the back of the roof of your mouth – and your throat muscles, while pushing the jaw forward and down, do a Valsalva manoeuver.

This next one requires a bit more practice – Voluntary Tube Opening. Again start by tensing the muscles of the soft palate and throat while pushing your jaw forward and down as if you starting to yawn and this will pull the Eustachian tubes open. With a lot of practice some dives can learn to control these muscles and hold the tubes open for continuous equalization.

Do you struggle with equalizing? What methods work best for you? Share in the comments below!

Imagine this: soft, sandy beaches, warm, clear water, a colourful array of tropical fish surrounding you… But you can’t enjoy any of it because your rental mask doesn’t fit properly and starts leaking the moment you are submerged in water! You asked for a replacement, but they are all the same! Now you are kicking yourself for not buying your own mask to bring with you!

Everyone loves an escape to the tropics. Calm quiet relaxation, nothing to worry about, chilling on the beach, and most importantly – exceptional snorkelling and diving. The last thing you want is something silly like ill-fitting equipment to ruin your holiday. Unfortunately, the gear you get on loan at most resorts, or from snorkelling rentals and tours is basic, and somewhat of a one size fits all – especially when it comes to masks. Although a leaky mask is not life threatening, it is a constant – and avoidable – annoyance. Yet so easy to come up with a simple solution!

No matter what your baggage allowance, a mask and snorkel are small items that can be easily slipped into a carry-on bag if needed! It pays off to have tried a few on, found something that is fitting and adapted to your face shape, and that you know is going to be comfortable and a reliable piece of kit. Come on by the Dive HQ shop and we can show you both our full dive mask range, as well as our mask and snorkel sets.

Knowing how to correctly test a mask for size and fit is easy, yet important. Firstly, you want to be trying the mask on without using its strap. Flip this over the front of the lenses so it is not in your way. Place the mask on your face, making sure there is no hair in the way and ensuring a snug fit with no gaps between the silicone skirt and your face. Take a breath through your nose and hold it. The mask should sit on your face, forming a seal that prevents it from falling away. If it holds and you can feel the suction as you pull it away from you, you have a good fit. If it falls straight off your face while you are still breathing in, then there are too many gaps between your face and the mask skirt. If you can hear air hissing, this may also indicate an air space. This means the mask isn’t suited to your shape and that water would leak in. Try a different size and shape model mask until you find one that is comfortable. We can help you find the perfect mask for you.

Now imagine this: Someone spots the whale shark you have been wishing for all day long. Without hesitating, everyone pulls on their masks, fins and snorkels and jumps in. You start to kick, trying to keep up, but the fins that the tour company provided are useless, you are getting nowhere! Just to add insult to injury, they rub on your heels too. Despite your best efforts, all you see is the swish of a tail… Next year you will be buying your own gear to bring with you!

Depending where you are going and what you intend to do, you may be wanting fins. They make the experience of snorkelling a much more enjoyable one, enabling you to move more easily through the water, gain more speed, and cover more ground. You will notice how they come into their own when you spot a turtle a little way away that you want to get a closer look at! In tropical climates, you will find that lots of outfits provide you with full foot fins. Make sure you get a pair that fit you well to avoid rubbing and blisters. Consider the activity you will be undertaking (diving, snorkelling…) and whether the fins are adequate to withstand the conditions. It is never a bad idea to arrive equipped with your own basics, this includes fins. We offer snorkelling packages, complete with mask, snorkel, and small, light, travel friendly fins! Come on in and let us show you what would work best for your situation. We have sets for both adults and children, so the whole family can join in the fun!

In August of 2014 the Hikurangi marine reserve opened off the coast of Kaikoura along with a few other protected areas. These included a Fur Seal and Whale sanctuary and also some areas that are off limits to commercial fishing. The areas were designed to protect marine species and the environment that they live in. This marine reserve drew a lot of attention among the diving and fishing community. It’s on the South side of Kaikoura on a popular stretch of the shoreline which was ideal for Christchurch people to stop to Free Dive or Scuba Dive. When we had dived there pre marine reserve it was beautiful but there weren’t a lot of fish, and size crayfish were getting harder to find.

I had dived here many times before it became a marine reserve, and every dive I did there I really enjoyed, but what I was about to see would change how I looked at the coast of Kaikoura forever.

A group of us had decided to head up to Kaikoura for a couple fun dives one Sunday a few months back. I was in charge of deciding where we would dive which is always a tough job. We were driving up the coast and I still had no idea where we were going to stop. When we saw the water it was so flat I knew where we were going to dive. We pulled over at the lay-by by Barneys Rock and I proceed to tell them we were going to surface swim out to the big white rock and dive around it. So we all geared up and started to head out with our dive buddy. We dropped down on the shore side of the rock and had planned to head around keeping it on our left. As soon as we got to the bottom we noticed the visibility was more than 10m and we knew it was going to be an awesome dive. We started kicking and there was a school of Moki right in front of us. We sat and watched them for ages, they were so curious. There were a few blue cod and butterfish hanging around as well. One butter we saw was massive you could see the long silver line down its side and the bright blue on its fins. I decided to look in a crack in the rock and there would have been about 10 crayfish peering back at me. They were not worried one bit that I was there. We continued swimming around the rock reaching depths of about 20m. All of sudden out of nowhere was a black shape with big eyes. It was a seal who had come to check us out. He played with us for a while and then swam off.

We had now got round to the back of the rock and came across a split in the rock face. I signaled to my buddy to come and have a look. What I saw in front of me is something I never dreamt of seeing. There was around 70-80 cray fish in one hole. They were lined up in rows like they were an army ready to fight. The smaller cray fish were in the front and the big breeding stock were far back in the hole. These were some of the biggest crayfish I have seen. I didn’t want to leave this hole. It was unreal and what if I could never find it again. We had to start heading back, we had been out for a long time and the other divers would be finishing their dive soon. As we swam back round to the front and headed back to the shore under the water there was Paua all over the rocks. There was so many there that they were almost on top of each other. Before we made it back to shore a school of Kahawai quickly swam past us not stopping to see what we were doing. We decided it was time to end the dive and head up. When we got to the surface my buddy and I were so excited about what we had just seen and couldn’t wait to hear how cool everyone else’s dives were.

Every time I think about this dive I want to go back and do it all over again. The difference in the amount of aquatic life in just the first two years of this marine reserve being open is unbelievable. I cannot wait to see what it will be like in another two years!

Read more about how marine surveys are performed in this article.

An article from when the marine reserve was first put in place can be found here.

With winter now upon us, the air temperature has started to drop and the ski fields are finally open. Most of you have probably hung up your dive gear for the season and swapped it for a nice warm fire place, or a jacket and beanie when you dare to head out and about. The water is definitely getting chilly – I will not argue with that, but it could be a lot colder… Imagine if you were diving in somewhere like Iceland, in the Silfra fissure where the water is a freezing 2-4 degrees all year round. You would be crazy to do this without a dry suit.

The Silfra is known as one of the top dive sites in the world because of its crystal clear water and the crack in which you are diving. When you head down into the water you are between two continental plates; the North American plate and Eurasian plate. The water visibility between these two plates can be up to 100m, as clear as drinking water. The water comes from the Langjokull glacier and is then filtered through the ground for up to 100 years until it reaches the Thingvellir Lake. There is not a lot of life in this ravine other than trout, but it is beautiful none the less. The rock walls at some points almost meet, and you can touch both sides on the plates. There is a crazy green algae that grows on the bottom which they call ‘troll hair’. This UNESCO world heritage site is unlike anything you will have seen before.

So the next time you are thinking it’s too cold to go diving in New Zealand, remember it is about 10 degrees at the moment and that there are a lot of colder places in the world where you could be getting in the water! Also, some of the best diving around the South Island can be done over winter. The weather normally calms down and we get a constant Southerly swell rolling through. Think of all those amazing dive sites on the North side of Akaroa or Kaikoura that you missed out on diving over summer and do them now!

Remember we are having a Drysuit Demo Day on Saturday 30th July, so if you want to experience the toasty warmth of drysuit diving, let us know!

Give us a call on (03) 379 5804, or email us at sales@diveskiworld.co.nz. You can find us from Monday to Saturday, 8:30am until 5pm at Dive HQ Christchurch, 103 Durham St South!

“Been there, done that” and you know what? It doesn’t matter. I could have dived the same site a hundred times, and yet I still feel that same bubbling excitement as I gear up for the dive. The drive or boat ride hums with anticipation as everyone discusses what we might see this time. I will grab a tank and set up my equipment – a comfortable and familiar procedure. The sound of waves on the shore, the salty sea wind on my face; the feeling of going home. People are spitting in masks, swilling them out. It isn’t elegant, and we don’t care! Others attach strobes to cameras, and buddy teams help each other gear up. Buddy checks complete? Let’s go.

It begins. Wading out through the waves, letting the cool water wash over you, or back-rolling into the blue. Looking down at that whole other world that lies beneath us – just waiting to be explored!

70% of the planet we live on is covered with water, making it hardly surprising that some of the most spectacular spots on earth lie under the ocean’s surface. Non-divers only get the chance to experience 30% of what is on offer – imagine what you are missing out on!

Regulator in – my lifeline that will supply my air during the dive – I start my descent. Deflating my BCD, I’m in free fall, I can twist and turn in any way I please. I am weightless, I defy gravity, I am flying! Lying face down, arms and legs splayed slowing my descent. I am sky-diving in slow-mo, watching as the sea bed rises to meet me. I will twist over to lie looking up at the surface, as it slips slowly away from me, or maybe let my whole world flip upside down as I plunge – Superman style – onwards; one of my favourite moments of a dive is the descent. It is that sudden sense of weightlessness, when the laws of physics exerted on us on land no longer apply. Ever wanted to experience zero gravity and what it feels like to fly unaided? Then diving will give you a pretty good idea.

Seconds before making contact with the bottom, I take a slow, deep breath, stabilising myself, stopping me inches short of the sea bed. I hang momentarily, then begin my dive. Learning to control your buoyancy is the key to ‘underwater flying’, and you will find that once you have it mastered, you can perform impressive underwater gymnastics with next to no effort. You think it, you do it – your body unquestioningly following your brain and imagination’s orders. Honestly, there is no other feeling quite like it! (You can perfect your buoyancy with a Peak Performance Buoyancy Course!)

Now that you are here, it is time to look around. The whole universe has gone quiet – something else that I love. All you hear is the sound of your own breathing. In, out, in, out… Slow and steady, you are in total control. Every now and then you may hear the unmistakable sound of a parrotfish chomping on nearby coral, or maybe the annoying whine of a boat engine, but you relax, knowing it will soon pass and fade.

How many of you like to spend ages in the shower because it is your ‘thinking place’? Somewhere you can be alone with your thoughts and finally make those decisions that have been hanging over you for a while? Being underwater is kind of like that, but a hundred times better. Your troubles, worries, and problems all fade for that time you spend out in the blue.

No matter where you are diving, there are always a million sights to distract you.

“Whoa! Look at that giant crayfish, right there” *frantic hand signals*

“Seal! Seal behind you!” (What is the signal for seal, anyway?)

Sharks, turtles, pretty colourful fishes… The kelp and coral itself a delight for the eyes. The light playing through the water, floating rainbows, sparkling off the sand… Everything about our underwater world is mesmerizing.

I have been diving for almost fourteen years and yet even now, nothing can match the feeling I get before and during a dive. I still catch myself in complete wonder, halfway through a dive, as I realise I am breathing underwater (a look at my dive computer confirms that yes, I have been breathing underwater for a full 45 minutes now). So I will grin and perform a series of flips, just because I can.

Diving is so much more than a sport; it is a passion, it is true love, it is a life-style! Once you learn to dive, enter into that whole new world, and join the community made up by scuba divers, you will never want to turn back.

If you would like to learn to dive, or continue your diving education, get in touch so we can help you pursue your passion!

Dive HQ Christchurch 2013 Ltd

103 Durham Street South

Sydenham,

Christchurch,

New Zealand

Phone: 03 379-5804

Email: sales@diveskiworld.co.nz

www.diveskiworld.co.nz

Nananu-I-Ra; the name itself conjures up spectacular images of somewhere warm and tropical, but once you discover that the English translation of the Fijian name is ‘Daydream of the West’ it takes it to a whole other level. Breath-taking white sand beaches, clear turquoise waters, listening to the soft lapping of the ocean while you sip at your cold beer… This doesn’t have to be a mere daydream. This is where you will find us for a week in August! (Click here for details)

Nananu-I-Ra is situated 3km off the north coast of the main Island, Viti Levu, and accounts for a tiny 3.5 square kilometres of land mass. In other words, 3.5 km² of paradise! Even better than the sandy haven, is the surrounding underwater world. Being ideally located in the Bligh Waters means that Nananu-I-Ra provides prime access to a multitude of amazing dive sites. Not only this, but it takes a mere hour by boat to travel to the Vatu-I-Ra Channel where a fluctuating current flushes and nourishes the magnificent 300+ species of coral that form the reef. A plethora of marine life thrives in the area; beautiful tropical fish, both loggerhead and green turtles, reef sharks, and you may well come across a few of the endangered humphead wrasse, or the majestic bumphead parrot fish.

Bumphead parrot fish

If you are looking to mix it up a little, then you will not be disappointed. At the centre of the Vatu-I-Ra Channel you will find the dive site E6, a site that is consistently rated to be one of the best in Fiji. Thanks to the seamount that rises from the deep almost to the surface, you stand a good chance of experiencing an encounter with many pelagics, such as large rays and hammerhead sharks! The area is also home to many manta rays, reef sharks, lemon sharks, bull sharks and even the odd tiger shark.

White tip reef shark

You may think that names such as ‘Dream Maker’ and ‘Breath Taker’ are exaggerations! Well just wait until you get under the waves and see for yourself! Just don’t forget your camera – you will want to take memories of this underwater utopia home with you.

Colour everywhere!

As well as being renowned for its phenomenal offshore reefs, Nananu-I-Ra is also known for its great windsurfing and kitesurfing opportunities. Explore the shores on foot or by kayak. Snorkelling is easily accessible from the beaches, and you will find plenty of idyllic spots to kick back and relax.

If you want to join us there, call us on (03) 379 5804, email us at sales@diveskiworld.co.nz, or visit us at 103 Durham Street South, Sydenham, Christchurch!

With just over a week to go, I am getting increasingly excited about the release of Pixar’s new film, Finding Dory. After marveling at the accuracy when portraying the underwater world in Finding Nemo, I look forward to seeing what new levels Pixar will go to in their most recent masterpiece.

Following the story of Dory – a forgetful regal blue tang – as she sets off in search of her long lost family, viewers will be introduced to an array of lovable marine characters. Divers, you can practice your fish ID skills as the plot unravels, thanks to the attention to detail Pixar invest in each and every one of their films. Meanwhile, marine biologists worldwide rejoice, pleased by the conservation message that the original film and its sequel aim to instill in the viewer. However, the good intentions backfired massively, as we witnessed after the release of Finding Nemo in 2003.

Regal Blue Tangs like Dory cannot be bred in captivity

Internationally, people followed the story of the poor little anemone clownfish Nemo, as he was abducted from his home and taken to live behind glass (by P. Sherman, 42 Wallaby Way, Sydney – no less!) His loving, yet slightly overprotective father frantically searches for his lost son, while Nemo plots ways to escape his captor.

The message is clear – Fish should not be taken from the oceans, put into tanks, and left on display because you think they look pretty! That is a big NO-NO. Yet somehow, people suddenly rushed to pet shops and aquariums looking for a nemo of their very own. Clownfish sales went up as much as 40% in some places, breeders struggling to meet the sudden increase in demand. Fortunately for the world’s anemone clownfish population, our little orange and white striped friends are reasonably easy to breed in captivity. This phenomenon lead to the creation of the Saving Nemo foundation, who look to educate the masses on the truth behind having an aquarium at home. What many fail to realise is that 90% of all fish in captivity were taken directly from their homes in the ocean. This is leading to a decrease in the population of fish such as clownfish in the wild, meaning some species will eventually face extinction.

Clownfish are happiest in their natural habitat!

This issue comes into play with the release of the sequel. Will sales of blue tangs boom in the same way clownfish sales did in 2003? Unlike Nemo, Dory cannot be bred in captivity, although research is being carried out, marine biologists have yet to discover a way to breed our favourite character. If you see a blue tang in captivity, it will have come from the wild. It is estimated that a whopping 400,000 regal blue tangs are collected from their natural habitat every year, if demand increases, so will that number. Here’s hoping that Pixar get their message on conservation across loud and clear with this new film! If you are taking your little ones to see Finding Dory next week, make sure they understand the importance of fishes staying in their natural habitat!

A much better way to experience the whole cast of Finding Nemo, is to visit them personally! Witnessing marine life in its natural habitat is a great reason to learn to dive. Many of the protagonists can be found in Fiji, join us there in August! Come and talk to us to find out more! We can also tell you all about project AWARE, and how to get involved saving our oceans!

As winter draws nearer, it is time to start preparing for the cold. Bring out the woolly jumpers, stock up on hot chocolate, (and don’t forget the whisky!) Shorter days, chilly weather, and cooler waters are no reasons to stop you from diving – so long as you know how to keep warm.

It is important to remember that you lose heat 20 times faster in the water compared to on land. Although 16°C may feel comfortable when you are dry, you will quickly feel the cold on a dive.

So how should you keep warm this winter? Here are a few pointers to keep you diving throughout the upcoming months:

Keep your head covered:

Your head is one of your main points of heat loss; in the same way you would wear a hat and scarf when it is cold, wear a hood when diving! With 20 to 40% of heat lost from your head, keeping it covered makes a significant amount of difference when trying to stay warm. If your wetsuit doesn’t have an integrated hood, you can buy them independently (we stock several different models here at Dive HQ Christchurch).

I know that the idea of a hood can be off-putting, and is disliked by many, but there are simple steps to follow to avoid discomfort:

• Keep your hood down and your wetsuit slightly unzipped until you are ready to enter the water
• If you have a separate hood, put it on at the last minute
• Remove your hood during the surface interval, dry your head off, and if possible put a dry hat on

Layer up:

So you have a 7mm wetsuit to keep you nice and warm, yet the chill is still getting through… Why not add a layer under your suit? The same goes for a drysuit. There is nothing to stop you wearing thermals or a sharkskin under your suit.

A great option is Oceanic’s Lavacore range. An awesome selection of thermals: tops – hooded or not, vests, shorts, pants, suits, caps, gloves… Why not try out the Elite merino lined range to guarantee warmth and comfort this winter! Not only are these great under your wetsuit or drysuit, you can use them for many other activities too. Wear them kayaking, sailing, skiing, surfing… a purchase you definitely will not regret! Pop into Dive HQ at 103 Durham St South to find the perfect Lavacore for you. We are continuing to sell all Lavacore at their sale prices. 25% off the standard range, and 30% off the elite range! 

Toasty toes:

No doubt about it, as the temperature drops you become more reluctant to don a wetsuit and take the plunge. There is nothing worse than frozen fingers and toes (ok, I exaggerate – they won’t quite freeze). Want some tricks of the trade on how to keep your extremities warm? You’ve come to the right place. You will already have gloves and boots, but are you wearing anything under them? No? Well you should be! Buy some disposable latex gloves to wear under your neoprene gloves – the trapped air will help keep you warm! Wear a pair of non-cotton socks inside your boots to keep those little piggies toasty warm even on the coldest of days.

Dry suit diving:

Opt for the warmest option of them all! Come and talk to us about our drysuit range. We can help you find the perfect drysuit for you, and talk you through the advantages of owning one, as well as taking you on a drysuit orientation dive.

Prepare for your surface interval:

If you are doing multiple dives, you want to make sure you have everything you need for your surface interval. Have a flask of something hot ready – tea, coffee, soup is a great one, and something warm to put on. Having a windproof jacket to hand is a good idea, as you can pull it on even over a wetsuit and escape from the chilly breeze.

Just remember not to rush your surface interval in your eagerness to return to the water on cold days! Safety first!

Take a break:

If it all gets a bit too much and you need to escape to the sunshine and do some diving in more temperate waters, get in touch with us about our upcoming trips. We are off to the Solomon’s in June, and Fiji in August. Feel free to ring or email us for more information!

Come and see us at Dive HQ for more tips and pointers on staying warm to keep you diving this winter!

Fabulous Canterbury Dive Sites

The past few months have provided Canterbury divers with some wonderful diving conditions and warmer temperatures.  Dive HQ Christchurch always enjoy sharing with their customers their favourite dive sites around Canterbury of which we have many to enjoy.

Canterbury dive sites are centered off Kaikoura coast and Banks Peninsula with visibility often only 2-3 meters but on occasions you will get up to 15 meter. The poor visibility can put a lot of divers off. But when you have some of the most amazing marine and mammal life that New Zealand has to offer this is definitely a destination you should have on your bucket list. Kaikoura is 180 k north of Christchurch and is where two ocean currents meet. The warm waters of the north and the cold water from the sub Antarctic. The rocky coastline offers some great diving and has an abundance of crayfish. Sperm whales are often in this area giving you a between dives experience- whale watching.

South east of Christchurch is Banks Peninsula with a number of dive sites in t    he many sheltered bays around the peninsula. A marine reserve is situated at Flea Bay where you could well have the opportunity to meet with the Yellow Eyed Penguin, White Flippered Penguins, and New Zealand Fur seals. This is also home to the very rare Hectors Dolphin and you may well encounter these delightful creatures.

Find the following sites on the Dive HQ Christchurch Dive Site Map.  Land Information New Zealand, also provides Chart NZ 63 of Kaikoura through to Banks Peninsula, which you can zoom in on to see the reef locations.

Chart NZ 63 Available from LINZ website

Kaikoura

Davidsons Reef-  is an ideal dive for the beginner diver with the chance to practice catching Crayfish and enjoy meeting playful seals. Maximum depth is 12 meters.

Lynch Reef-  A nice dive with great forests of kelp in red , green and brown. Crays at the base of the rocks and butterfish, banded wrasse, spotties, and also the playful seals. An intermediate dive at max 18 meters. Good photography with many sea tulips and kelp as subjects.

Pinnacle Rock – On a clam day this is a great dive. Rated as at the intermediate level with a depth up to 15 meters. Some nice cracks with crayfish. Really great for photography especially of the seals. Spear fishing is also good in this area.

Bushett Shoals- Not a common dive site as conditions dictate this site but if conditions are right this is an amazing dive. Colourful walls, crayfish, wrasse, blue moki, and dog shark. There is even a chance of seeing schools of groper. An exceptional dive site.

Banks Pennisula 

Pigeon Bay – This is rated as a beginners dive. Protected from wind and swells on outside coast. Depth up to 12 meters with the chance to get a crayfish under the kelp. Common fish  red cod  leather jackets. Sea tulips are also found here and a few paua on the rocks for the snorkelers.

Flea Bay – You will see many of New Zealand’s most charismatic marine animals at Pohatu Marine Reserve, which hosts both penguin and seal colonies. The drive to Pohatu is rough and should only be attempted by 4WD.  Kayakers and boaties can explore a more dramatic landscape of sheer cliffs and sea caves not visible from land. Divers driving to the reserve need to be aware that the road reaches nearly 800 m above sea level so they need to plan dives and surface times. Yellow eyed penguins appear at dusk and in summer Hectors dolphins are common. A delightful dive and a great photo opportunity.

Snuffle Nose – An intermediate dive depth up to 15 meters but is not diveable in a southerly swell or strong winds. A crayfish dive and great walls for the photographer with anemones, zoanthids and a few nudibranchs. A good dive with often visibility better than 3 meters.

Organised Dive Trips  with Dive HQ Christchurch  are an opportunity for you to meet other divers and get organised to do some great diving.  You can also join their Dive HQ Club on their website for notifications on upcoming organised Dive Trips

Dive Shop – Operator 

Dive HQ  Christchurch

Julie and Richard Chitty

Richard@diveskiworld.co.nz

www.diveskiworld.co.nz

03 379-5804
0800 DIVEHQ (348347)

Shop Hours:
Monday to Saturday: 8.30am – 5pm
Sunday: Closed