Aotearoa New Zealand's unique geography creates a diverse underwater environment for divers or mermaids to explore. From the twinkling, sub-tropical waters, and islands of the far north, to the wild and wonder of the fiords and the deep south.  

To learn more, we’ve curated a list of Aotearoa’s top dive sites and operators below for those wanting a unique underwater experience and travel inspiration…

Northland and the Bay of Islands

Home to some of the best scuba diving spots in the world, where divers can find a wide variety of sea creatures, including dolphins, whales, various fish, and maybe even a Merperson! Tawhiti Rahi (opens in new window)The Poor Knights Islands(opens in new window) are a must-visit in this region. A protected marine reserve, and arguably New Zealand's most famous diving area, it’s also one of Jacques Cousteau’s top 10 dive sites worldwide and a breath-taking subaquatic adventure spot for experienced divers, snorkellers or first timers. 

Dive Tutukaka(opens in new window) - Qualmark Gold 

Travels to the famous Poor Knights Islands, offering learn to dive courses, full dive gear hire, dive charter boat trips, snorkelling, stand-up-paddle boarding, and kayaking. 

Northland Dive(opens in new window) - Qualmark Silver

With over 20+ years of experience in the industry in the Bay of Islands they can take manuhiri (visitors) of all experience levels to the Bay of Islands Reefs & Canterbury Wreck on a fast boat or The Poor Knight Islands onboard a Liveaboard. 

Bay of Islands Snorkelling(opens in new window) - Qualmark Bronze 

Departing Paihia and Russell daily, in a solid catamaran and offering your clients the option of being dropped off at an island for the day, or let their experienced local guides showcase the best snorkelling spots. 

Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland 

The Hauraki Gulf and Islands surrounding Auckland make for some incredible diving experiences relatively close to the city for a day trip or short break. Motu Hāwere ā Maki Goat Island(opens in new window) is just a one and a half hour’s drive north of Auckland and New Zealand’s first and most accessible marine reserve. Established in 1975, in less than 10 years it became a rich ecological area, teeming with fish and other sea life. Great for snorkelling or diving from the shore/rocks and coastal walkways. 

Aotea Great Barrier Island(opens in new window) is a small plane flight or ferry trip from Auckland, located on the outer edge of the Hauraki Gulf and in New Zealand’s only National Marine Park – with its subtropical climate and volcanic rock formations, there is plenty to explore underwater for all levels of experience including a few shipwrecks. 

New Zealand Diving(opens in new window) - Qualmark Gold

Offers scuba diving tours and training in the Hauraki Gulf as well as dive charters for all levels of experience. 

Waiheke Dive & Snorkel(opens in new window) - 100% Pure, Experience Award Winner

New Zealand's first 100% Conservation focused full-service dive shop. Here your clients can try SCUBA, learn to dive, join a guided snorkelling tour or simply hire some snorkelling equipment and explore for themselves. 

The Coromandel Peninsula 

This coastal playground is known for its white sand beaches and secret coves and is a diver’s and snorkeller’s paradise. Just off the shore of famous Cathedral Cove(opens in new window) lies the Te-Whanganui-a-Hei Marine Reserve with its reef and sponge gardens, teeming with wildlife. Snorkellers can also enjoy Gemstone Bay snorkel trail here, using the buoys with information panels and images for fish identification. 

Just off the coast of the Mercury Bay(opens in new window) are the 7 Mercury Islands. With submerged caves, pinnacles and drop-offs, the islands shelter a diverse range of marine life. Warm currents bring with them whales, stingray, marlin, sub-tropical fish and turtles. 

Cathedral Cove Dive and Snorkel(opens in new window) - Qualmark Silver

Your clients can join Cathedral Cove Dive and Snorkel’s twice daily dive or snorkel trips, hire gear, or enrol in a dive course. 

Dive Zone Whitianga(opens in new window) - Qualmark Gold
 
Jump onboard a purpose-built dive boat for easy access to the Mercury Islands and the prolific fish life that inhabit them. Join dive trips, or PADI dive training up to instructor level with all dive equipment for hire.

Kaikōura  

Kaikōura(opens in new window) is a very special place, where the mountains meet the sea and diving its cold waters is a remarkable experience, amongst kelp forests, octopus, stingray, and a variety of native fish species. Keep your eyes peeled for the orcas, dolphins and whales that often frequent these parts. In fact Kaikōura’s special talent is marine mammal encounters – whale watching charters depart several times a day or join a dolphin or seal swim encounter. 

Dolphin Encounter(opens in new window) - Qualmark Gold 

Choose from swimming with the dolphins or watching the dusky dolphins, which are regarded as the most acrobatic of all dolphin species. A "must do" experience while in Kaikōura. Tours depart daily. 

Dave’s Diving(opens in new window) - Qualmark Bronze 

With options of both shore and boat diving, Dave’s Diving have access to a wide range of dive sites to suit all abilities and to explore  Kaikōura’s remarkable biodiversity and even some of the coldest cold-water diving.

Ōtepoti Dunedin 

Ōtepoti Dunedin(opens in new window)’s top diving spot is the Aramoana Mole, which is located within the small Aramoana settlement at the mouth of the Otago Harbour and is a mecca for wildlife. This man-made rock wall was constructed to protect the entrance of the harbour from gathering silt. Now, it’s an inviting dive site (up to 10 metres on a good day) and home to several wrecks that act as artificial reefs, which are lined with kelp forests and full of fish, carpet and sevengill sharks, seahorses, and nudibranchs. Above the water you might be lucky enough to spot New Zealand hooker sea lions and hoiho(opens in new window) (yellow eyed penguins) on the beach. 

Southland 

The Southland region(opens in new window) offers rare and fascinating treasures for divers and snorkellers to discover and is home to several marine reserves. Its cooler waters present contrasting and diverse seascapes to those in the warmer waters of the north. 

 
Diving Piopiotahi Milford Sound(opens in new window) (opens in new window)is breathtakingly beautiful – Jacques Cousteau even rated Fiordland diving as "the last frontier" of underwater exploration. Its spectacular underwater seascapes – the cliff faces, fiord walls and unique ecosystem of black coral trees, make it a bucket list dive spot! The coral trees have a stunning white appearance over a jet-black skeleton and are usually only found in deep water trenches. Here, they can be seen in depth as little as eight metres. Spot dolphins, seals, sharks, penguins, eels, octopus, stingray, crayfish and colourful nudibranch – you might get to meet resident eel Boris, who has lived there for 10 years. 

 
The tiny region of Bluff, Southland(opens in new window) is known for its oysters and as the gateway to Stewart Island. And if you’re chasing an adrenaline rush, it’s also one of the best places in the world to go shark-cage diving. There are plenty of sharks in the Foveaux Strait – you can expect to see great whites, makos, and blues. 

 
30 kilometres off the coast of the South Island lies Rakiura Stewart Island(opens in new window). Its remote and untouched coastlines make it the perfect spot for marine life to thrive, and a warm current from the Australian Great Barrier Reef flows around the island bringing a greater diversity of marine creatures than would normally be found in these waters. Dive the wreck of S.S. Tarawera, a steam ship that sank in 1933 – it now acts as an artificial reef, full of colourful corals and fish. Or snorkel Māori Beach and discover vast kelp forests and an abundance of fish. An exclusive snorkel in one of the southernmost parts of the world is not something you will want to miss! 

Descend Scuba Diving(opens in new window) - Qualmark Gold 

Takes your clients on a cruise of Te Anau to discover where deep water species inhabit the shallows. They operate with a maximum of just 8-10 divers and three crew for a more personal experience.  

Wild Fiordland(opens in new window) - Qualmark Gold 

Sail, snorkel, dive, hike, kayak, wine and dine on the distinctive sailboat 'Breaksea Girl' with all the creature comforts and a maximum of just 12 passengers. 

Shark Experience Bluff(opens in new window) - Qualmark Silver 

Come eye to eye with an array of sharks from the safety of a dive cage – enjoy all the excitement and a special moment with nature while in a safe environment. 

For more information about Aotearoa New Zealand’s unique marine tourism experiences opportunities and travel inspiration, visit newzealand.com(opens in new window).