Canterbury Wreck & Reef Dive

North Island

Paihia Dive

from

NZ$220

per person

Diver hovering beside pink coral-covered railings of the Canterbury Wreck in the Bay of Islands

Experiences

Snorkelling & Diving

Day Tours

Nature & Wildlife

Family-friendly Tours

North Island

Start: Paihia

Locations: Paihia, Bay of Islands

Duration: 1 day

Travel Time: 7 hours

Minimum Age: 5

Details

A Day Diving in the Bay of Islands

Your day begins bright and early in Paihia with gear setup before heading out on the boat past dolphins, penguins, and seabirds. After a scenic cruise, the wreck site at Deep Water Cove is reached in just 30 minutes. The Canterbury wreck offers an impressive underwater playground full of history and marine life.

Following the wreck dive, the boat anchors near a reef site where snorkelling and a relaxed lunch break await. For reef divers and those refreshing their skills, instructors provide personalised guidance to build confidence. With small groups and calm conditions, it’s a perfect setting to explore the reef and enjoy the clear waters.

Diver approaching the coral-encrusted bow railings of the Canterbury Wreck in the Bay of Islands

Giant moray eel resting among reef rocks near the Canterbury Wreck in the Bay of Islands

Coral-encrusted machinery from the Canterbury Wreck with diver overhead in the Bay of Islands

School of Blue Maomao fish swimming in clear waters in the Bay of Islands

Divers swimming near the upper structure of the Canterbury Wreck surrounded by marine growth in the Bay of Islands

Exploring the Reef and Beyond

For first-time divers, the shallow reef dives are a chance to practise underwater breathing skills and see marine life up close. The dives are designed to be safe, fun, and rewarding, with a maximum depth of 12 metres for beginners. Experienced divers can also enjoy deeper reef dives teeming with colour and movement.

After lunch, the group heads to another top reef site, often within the protected Deep Water Cove marine reserve. Here, divers and snorkellers encounter schools of fish, vibrant corals, and sometimes curious seals. The day wraps up with a relaxing cruise back through the Bay of Islands, arriving in Paihia by mid-afternoon

AGE INFORMATION

Child Age for Reef Snorkellers: 5-14 years

PLEASE REMEMBER

Bring your swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, camera, and something warm to wear after diving.
You can bring your own lunch or request a packed lunch (meat or vegetarian). Let us know your preference.

Note: The Canterbury rests in waters deeper than 18m/60ft. Therefore, any Open Water divers keen on exploring the wreck must pair it with a PADI Deep Adventure Dive (which counts towards their Advanced Open Water certification). This comes with an extra charge of £50. You must hold a diving certification to dive the wreck.

Given the depth of the Canterbury wreck and the temperate water conditions, we require that you've dived within the last year before embarking on a Deep Adventure Dive. For those Advanced Certified or higher, diving within the last 2 years is necessary. If you're unsure about your diving skills, consider booking a refresher day trip before diving the wreck.

UNDERSTANDING THE DANGERS

I recognise that this activity comes with inherent risks and possible dangers. These include, but aren't limited to, breathing compressed air, boat traffic, sea creatures, decompression sickness, drowning, pressure-related injuries, air bubbles in the bloodstream, decompression illness, lack of fluids, gas intoxication, equipment malfunctions, ear issues, sunburn, overheating, hypothermia, seasickness, and bad weather.
Diving or snorkelling outings take place in the great outdoors, so there's a chance of sudden natural disasters like tsunamis, earthquakes, landslides, or volcanic eruptions. I understand that taking part in diving or snorkelling activities with Paihia Dive could be risky if not handled with care, control, and responsibility. I accept that these risks could lead to physical or mental harm, or even death.