Bay of Islands dive trips range from guided reef dives and HMNZS Canterbury wreck dives to trips combining the Rainbow Warrior with a Cavalli Islands reef dive. Departing from Paihia, there are options for first-time and certified divers, as well as snorkelling trips and SSI scuba diving courses.
Dive the Bay of Islands
Diving in the Bay of Islands
The Bay of Islands is one of Northland’s best-known diving destinations, with natural reef sites, marine life and the HMNZS Canterbury wreck accessible on dive trips from Paihia. Dive experiences range from introductory scuba trips to reef and wreck diving for certified divers.
Beneath the surface, rocky reefs and underwater formations provide habitats for a variety of marine life, with the exact experience varying according to the dive site and conditions. The boat journey is also part of the day, taking divers through the islands and coastal scenery surrounding Paihia.
The wider Northland region adds another major wreck-diving option. Trips from Paihia travel north towards Matauri Bay for the Rainbow Warrior, with selected experiences combining the wreck with a second reef dive around the Cavalli Islands.
Bay of Islands and Northland Dive Sites
Bay of Islands dive sites range from natural reefs and underwater caves to the HMNZS Canterbury wreck at Deep Water Cove. Trips from Paihia also travel further north to the Rainbow Warrior near the Cavalli Islands, giving certified divers a choice of reef and wreck diving across the wider Northland region.
| Dive site | Type | Known for | Experience level |
|---|---|---|---|
| HMNZS Canterbury | Wreck | Large former naval frigate at Deep Water Cove, now an established artificial reef | Certified divers; additional requirements may apply |
| Rainbow Warrior | Wreck | Historic Greenpeace vessel resting near the Cavalli Islands and covered in marine life | Certified divers; additional requirements may apply |
| Bigeyes Lair | Reef | Bay of Islands reef site known for schools of bigeye fish and marine life | Certified divers |
| Cavalli Islands reefs | Reef | Volcanic underwater terrain with swim-throughs, tunnels and caves at selected sites | Certified divers |
Dive sites are subject to weather, sea conditions and operator planning. Certification, depth and recent-diving requirements vary between sites and individual trips.
The Rainbow Warrior and HMNZS Canterbury both lie deeper than 18 metres, so certification and recent-diving requirements apply. Open Water divers may be able to experience the wrecks in conjunction with additional Deep Adventure Dive training, depending on the individual trip and requirements.
For divers who prefer natural sites, full-day reef trips explore two Bay of Islands dive sites selected according to the conditions on the day, with opportunities to experience different underwater terrain and marine life.
See a Bay of Islands Reef Dive
Take a look beneath the surface at Bigeyes Lair, one of the reef sites explored on Bay of Islands dive trips from Paihia. The video offers a glimpse of the underwater terrain and marine life you may encounter while diving in the Bay of Islands.
New to Scuba Diving?
No previous diving experience is required for the Bay of Islands Intro Dive, which is designed for first-time scuba divers. Learn the basics with an instructor, practise essential skills in shallow water and then explore a reef to a maximum depth of 12 metres.
If you prefer to stay closer to the surface, a Bay of Islands snorkelling day trip allows you to join the boat and snorkel at suitable sites while other guests are diving. This can also be a good option for mixed groups travelling with certified divers.
SSI Diving Courses in the Bay of Islands
Paihia is also a great place to learn to dive or build on your existing scuba skills. The 3 Day SSI Open Water Diving Course combines digital learning and heated-pool training with four open-water dives at Matauri Bay and Deep Water Cove. Successful students qualify as SSI Open Water Divers with a maximum diving depth of 18 metres.
Already Open Water certified? The 2 Day SSI Advanced Open Water Course includes five adventure dives, with Deep and Wreck dives on the Rainbow Warrior and HMNZS Canterbury plus three additional speciality dives. Successful training extends the maximum recreational diving depth to 30 metres.
