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Canterbury Wreck and Reef Dive

Paihia, New Zealand
Canterbury Wreck and Reef Dive
Paihia, New Zealand

Explore the Bay of Islands, discover an underwater world and learn how to dive with experienced instructors!

Canterbury Wreck and Reef Dive Highlights

  • Get up to 10% cashback when you book with us!
  • Wreck dive at the HMNZS Canterbury
  • Second dive at a Bay of Islands reef site
  • Boat transfers to Deep Water Cove and reef diving locations
  • Scenic boat cruise through the Bay of Islands
  • Opportunity to spot dolphins, penguins, seals and marine birdlife
  • Small-group diving experience with individual bookings welcome

What's Excluded

Why Do We Love This

What to Expect

Frequently Asked Questions

The former Navy frigate rests upright and intact. The upper deck, bridge and first-floor levels are within recreational diving range, with the decks between 22 and 28 metres. Divers can explore the bridge and helicopter hangar, while the lower levels are for more advanced divers.

The wreck is covered in encrusting sponges and jewel anemones. You may spot bigeyes inside the wreck, schools of sweep above it, snapper and kingfish nearby, and hundreds of crayfish during winter.

Autumn usually offers the best visibility, commonly 15–30 metres or more. Winter visibility is generally reliable at around 15 metres, while summer and spring can be more variable.

A 7mm wetsuit with a hooded vest, boots and gloves is generally used in colder water. Above 18°C, the hood and gloves are optional, while a 5mm wetsuit is suitable in high summer when the water reaches around 22°C.

Yes. Open Water divers can dive the wreck with an instructor as an SSI Deep Adventure Dive, which contributes towards SSI Advanced Open Water training. You must have dived within the last year, unless you can demonstrate experience of dives to 30 metres and qualify to dive with the group at the standard rate.

If you have been out of the water longer than the required recency period, you will need to complete a refresher day before diving the wreck. Open Water divers need recent diving within 12 months, while Advanced divers need to have dived within 18 months.

Absolutely! Individual bookings are welcome. The Canterbury trip needs at least three divers on board to operate, so the tour operator will let you know if a departure is looking short.

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Policies

Terms & Conditions:
Cancellation Policy:

A Refundable Booking is available at checkout. This will provide 100% refund for one of the many reasons included via our terms - including adverse weather, sickness or delays with transport.

All customer cancellation & refund requests are also subject to our website’s own refund conditions.


We recommend travel insurance for all domestic and international travel for peace of mind. Take out our recommended insurance here.

Tour Operator

Paihia Dive
Paihia Dive Shop, Williams Road, Paihia, Northland, New Zealand
from
AUD $215.97