[jspokes]

Hey all

We're going through the process of applying for PR via the partnership route and will hopefully settle in either Taranaki or Hawkes Bay.

As an experienced dive instructor (1500+ dives), having dived in 15 countries I would be interested to hear from other diving aficianafoes who can tell me how the dive sites are in the North Island and particularly in Taranaki or Hawkes Bay. I'll be shipping over 7 cylinders from UK and would love to be able to have some reasonable dives close at hand. I'm aware of the very famous sights like The Poor Knights, Rainbow Warrior, HMNZS Canterbury, HMNZS Tui, HMNZS Waikato etc.

What I'm really looking for is some local knowledge of some good reefs or interesting areas to dive.

Anybody dived these areas:

PANIA Reef out of Napier?
TE TAPUWAE O RONGOKAKO MARINE RESERVE, out of Gisborne?
SUGERLOAF ISLANDS from New Plymouth
OAKURA & Wreck of Gairloch from new Plymouth
MAYOR ISLAND (TUHUA) MARINE RESERVE from
ASTROLABE REEF from Bay of Plenty
MOTITI ISLAND & The wreck of the Taioma from Bay of Plenty
WHITE ISLAND from Bay of Plenty

Any others worth considering?
Thanks heaps
Jon

[danwoods]

I was just thinking about the same, having been into a dive shop in NZ at the weekend!, so will also be interested in the answers!

Jon, I presume you are from the Bradford-on-Avon near Bath (used to Live in Chippenham, untill a few months ago!)

[DMcG]

I'm an ex-club instructor myself, but haven't actually been diving in NZ yet (but it can't be worse than Scottish sea lochs in winter!)

I would point out that White Island is actually an active volcano - with numerous underwater vents. If you seriously want to dive around there - there is a slight risk of coming out par-boiled!

Dougie

[james the mechanic]

Hi Jon,

As an inexperienced dive beginner (2 dives), having dived in 2 countries I know pritty much nothing about diving, however I’m always happy to promote Hawkes Bay in any way I can…:laugh

There are two diving clubs that I am aware of in the bay…
Freedom Divers Hawke’s Bay: meet 1st Wed. mthly, 7 pm Napier. Kane 0064 27-243 2824
Napier Scuba Club: meet 1st Wed. mthly Napier. 33 Williams Street, Marewa, Napier.
Plus Dive HQ is a national chain of dive schools and retailer of dive products (franchise I think) www.divehq.co.nz. The Napier based one, is owned by fellow instructor, Andrew Harry, located at Nelson Quay, Ahuriri, 0064 834 2009 napier@divehq.net.nz its located in the inner harbour right by a boat ramp. There’s also another branch in Hastings managed by John Silvester, located at 709 Karamu Road North, 0064 878 8831. It’s a smaller shop and not by the sea like the Napier one is thou.

If you drop any of these people a line Im sure they will be only too happly to help.

Best of luck:nice1
James

[jspokes]

Thanks all

Will certainly look up some local clubs when I've arrived, but at the moment this is one of the many, many things on the "Do I live in Hawkes Bay / Taranaki List"! Sure, it's fairly low down in the scheme of things, but as this has been a big passion of mine for a long time it would be great to know there's some good diving where we are heading.

Now, where did I pack my drysuit? Maybe I wont need it for White Island!

And yep, Bradford On Avon, near Chippenham. It's actually my Sisters place as I have sold my house in the UK now. One of the nicer parts of the UK for sure.

Safe & Happy Diving
Jon

[Timbo]

It would be worth you dropping these guys a line, as they will be in the know.

http://www.divehq.co.nz/locations/napier/