I had the priviledge to try out diving in Paihia on my Holiday, and I would like to recommend it to everyone out there. On Jan, 3rd 2011 my day started early, my dad (who was over from Germany on a holiday) and my husband caught the 7am Ferry from Russell to Paihia, to meet Craig and Debbie at the Dive NZ.
After signing all sorts of forms and fitting all the gear - wetsuits, shoes, snorkels, vests etc it was off to the Wharf to get all our gears loaded onto a boat and off to Deep Water Cove.
Both Craig and Debbie where so friendly from the beginning, we departed Paihia around 8.30, it was a gorgeous day, blue skies all the way. On the way we stopped for some dolphin watching, a group of Bottle Nose Dolphin crossed our path and our Skipper (Craig) turned the boat around to follow them for a wee bit.
After 40 Minutes we reached the wreck of the Canterbury at Deep Water Cove, we were greeted by a group a 25 Common Dolphins who entered the Bay and just swam one round to leave the Bay on the other side again. It was beautiful to watch, and I was gutted i didn't have my camera with me.
The two groups got ready to dive the Canterbury, my husband and me went snorkeling, because we had never dived before, and had no experience to dive that deep.
Once both groups had returned we got our chance, Craig was absolutely amazing. I am terrified of water, deep water and the thought of breathing under water. Craig went through an introduction to Scuba Diving, he explained everyhting with patience and a smile on his face.
Once he asked us to suit up and put all the gear on my heart started pounding like crazy, I could feel it in my chest trying to expand. I had troubles getting all the gear on and was shaking all over. I think the color actually drained out of my face.

I had the priviledge to try out diving in Paihia on my Holiday, and I would like to recommend it to everyone out there. On Jan, 3rd 2011 my day started early, my dad (who was over from Germany on a holiday) and my husband caught the 7am Ferry from Russell to Paihia, to meet Craig and Debbie at the Dive NZ.
After signing all sorts of forms and fitting all the gear - wetsuits, shoes, snorkels, vests etc it was off to the Wharf to get all our gears loaded onto a boat and off to Deep Water Cove.
Both Craig and Debbie where so friendly from the beginning, we departed Paihia around 8.30, it was a gorgeous day, blue skies all the way. On the way we stopped for some dolphin watching, a group of Bottle Nose Dolphin crossed our path and our Skipper (Craig) turned the boat around to follow them for a wee bit.
After 40 Minutes we reached the wreck of the Canterbury at Deep Water Cove, we were greeted by a group a 25 Common Dolphins who entered the Bay and just swam one round to leave the Bay on the other side again. It was beautiful to watch, and I was gutted i didn't have my camera with me.
The two groups got ready to dive the Canterbury, my husband and me went snorkeling, because we had never dived before, and had no experience to dive that deep.
Once both groups had returned we got our chance, Craig was absolutely amazing. I am terrified of water, deep water and the thought of breathing under water. Craig went through an introduction to Scuba Diving, he explained everyhting with patience and a smile on his face.
Once he asked us to suit up and put all the gear on my heart started pounding like crazy, I could feel it in my chest trying to expand. I had troubles getting all the gear on and was shaking all over. I think the color actually drained out of my face.