{"id":2293,"date":"2021-10-19T13:34:59","date_gmt":"2021-10-19T13:34:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/divingcorner.com\/?p=2293"},"modified":"2021-10-19T13:48:31","modified_gmt":"2021-10-19T13:48:31","slug":"new-zealand","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/divingcorner.com\/new-zealand\/","title":{"rendered":"Top 22 Best Scuba Diving Spots in New Zealand"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

I\u2019ve heard many people assume that diving in New Zealand would be freezing and not very interesting, but this is a common misperception of those who haven\u2019t visited these incredible islands. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This country really is a diver\u2019s paradise. Accessible coastlines, marine reserves and hundreds of offshore islands make the underwater world surrounding this island nation vast and diverse.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jacques Cousteau, a famous scuba diver and underwater photographer, once said that he thought that the Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve, off New Zealand\u2019s Tutukaka Coast, were one of the world\u2019s top five diving locations in the entire world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is the scale you can use when diving in New Zealand!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The breathtaking landscapes of New Zealand have been showcased on many movie screens, from The Lord of The Rings<\/em> to The Chronicles of Narnia.<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pristine rolling hills and topography have held viewers around the world captivated, but most people are still unaware of the wonderful diving this country has to offer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

New Zealand’s underwater world is vast and water temperatures are extremely varied throughout the country. Scuba diving in New Zealand is good year-round: in June-November water temperatures range from 59-70\u00b0F\/15-21\u00b0C, while December-May sees the mercury rise to a comfortable 66-77\u00b0F\/19-25\u00b0C. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\t\t

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It\u2019s important to note that most divers wear a 7mm wetsuit in all seasons and dry suits are recommended for some of the southern fjords. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This may be a bit on the cold side if you\u2019re used to strictly tropical diving, but you can be sure of one thing: donning that wetsuit will be worth it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Though some of the best diving in New Zealand are wrecks, the marine life is incredible! From dusky dolphins, albatross, New Zealand fur seals, to sperm whales, which can be spotted all year round.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

While known for a dramatic terrestrial landscape, you may not realize that New Zealand is also home to 36 marine reserves. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are 26 ray species and 113 shark species that have been documented in New Zealand\u2019s waters!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is so much to see, in fact, that we had to divide the best dive sites in New Zealand into two distinct regions, the North and South Islands. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each island offers sites to suit all dive preferences and abilities. Did you know that between the diving around the North Island and that offered around the South Island it would take a lifetime of dives to see it all? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You really can try all types of diving in New Zealand!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Having lived and worked in Auckland, New Zealand, the \u2018big city\u2019 of the Northern island, I had the distinct pleasure of exploring many of the sites on this list, and I can say with certainty that there is nothing quite like visiting and diving this country anywhere else in the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make sure to learn about the M\u0101ori, the indigenous Polynesian people of mainland New Zealand, and have a lamb sandwich or fish and chips after your dive!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check out the best scuba diving spots in New Zealand, categorized by North and South islands.:<\/p>\n\n\n\t\t\t\t

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  1. North Island, New Zealand<\/a>