Canterbury Wreck and Reef dive

Bay of Islands Dive Day...

We start the dive day at 7:45am at our dive shop on Williams rd.  We organize equipment and paper work, then load the boat on Paihia wharf for a 8:30am departure. If you are staying in Russell we are happy to pick you up from the wharf in Russell at 8:45am. Just phone the shop to arrange equipment.

On the way out to the dive site we cruise through the islands and often see Dolphins, Penguins, Seals and marine bird life. It takes approximately 30 minutes on Sentinel to get to Deep Water Cove, on the way out we can also organize gear and brief for the wreck dive.



First up is normally the Wreck Dive, we then cruise to a reef area for some lunch/Snorkeling and if we have any Reef divers/Refreshers or Discover Scuba Divers on board they do their first dive. 



Reef Divers/Refresher Divers

We do our first dive after the wreck divers surface at the first reef site. This shallow reef dive gives you a chance to practice in a more controlled environment. It is done in a small group with the instructor. We go through the whole process of a dive with you. We start with gearing up and then work on some of the basic skills to get you comfortable in the water again. We pay attention to your buoyancy control and weighting and by the end of the dive you will be ready for the second fun dive.


Discover Scuba Divers
After the wreck divers are up we move to a shallow reef site, gear up and enter the water. We do some basic skills to get you comfortable with breathing underwater, and then we descend to a maximum depth of 12 metres. Once you are comfortable we take you for a tour of the underwater marine life. 

After lunch we then head to one of the many great reef dive sites in the Bay of Islands. This is normally a 18m or less dive exploring caves, arches, and swim throughs. Deep Water Cove is a marine reserve, so the marine life in this area is incredible. There is also the chance for more snorkeling at the second site and if time allows a second dive for the Discover Scuba Divers (this carries an extra charge).

Once all the diving is done we cruise back though the islands to Paihia, arriving at the wharf around 3:30pm. Arrival at Paihia can vary depending on how busy the boat is and if customers require to be back for a bus. If you are catching a bus in the afternoon, please let us know!

Children age range for Snorkelling

Please note that in terms of booking children the age range is from 5 to 14 years of age. Younger than this is free of charge but at the discretion of Paihia Dive (it depends on the mix of customers and activities happening on if we can take infants/toddlers on board). Children must be accompanied by an adult on board, and when in the water have adult supervision. Age 15 plus must be booked as an adult.

Please Bring...

Please bring your swimsuit, towel, sun block, camera, and something warm to wear after diving. You are welcome to bring your own lunch, or we are happy to provide a packed lunch for $12.00. Just let us know if you would like the meat or vegetarian option.

Note:  The Canterbury lies in water deeper than 18m/60ft. As such, any Open Water divers who wish to dive the wreck must do so in conjunction with a PADI Deep Adventure Dive (which will contribute to their Advanced Open Water certification). This costs an additional $50. You must be a certified diver to dive the wreck.

As the Canterbury wreck is a deep dive, on a wreck in temperate water we require that you have dived within the last year before doing this dive as a Deep Adventure Dive. If you are Advanced Certified or higher we require that you have dived with the last 2 years. If you are concerned about your diving skills, then booking a refresher day trip before wreck diving is advised.

UNDERSTANDING THE RISKS

I accept that this activity inherently involves risks and potential hazards. The risks and hazards include, but are not limited to breathing compressed gas, marine traffic, marine life, decompression sickness, drowning, barotrauma, air embolism, decompression illness, dehydration, gas narcosis, malfunctioning equipment, ear problems, sun damage, hyperthermia, hypothermia, sea sickness, and adverse weather events.

Dive/Snorkelling trips are run in the outdoors on the ocean, so may be exposed to sudden natural disasters such as, but not limited to Tsunami, Earthquakes, Slips Landslides or Rock Falls, or Volcanic Eruption. I am aware that participating in the Diving/Snorkelling offered by Paihia Dive can be hazardous if they are not conducted with care, control, and responsibility. I acknowledge that these risks could result in my injury (physical or mental) or even death.