Top Snorkeling and Scuba Diving in New Zealand

The top 36 dive and snorkel sites in New Zealand, ranked by diver reviews, with maps and photos. Read the New Zealand guide

dive sites
36
dive shops
21
reviews
1
36 sites, ranked by diver reviews
No photos yet
1

Waikato River

3.0(1 review)New Zealand, NI

Drift dive down a fast flowing river. Ever wanted to feel like you were flying - this is your chance :-) Spent the first 7 minutes in a big whirlpool, until my grinning guide showed where to go to get swept out. Happened to more or less under the Taupo bungy jump... Apart from the rush of "flying" down the river, there's quite a few rainbow trout to see, and nearing the end, there's a thermal spring you can go sit in. Just DON'T get your head under water there, as amoebic meningitis is prolific in that water! Lake Taupo. Just jump in the river from the shore. Watch out for the gees dropping though ;-) Waikato River is also known as The Mighty Waikato River.

BeginnerMax depth 13.1 ftShore entry
No photos yet
2

Mayor Island - Northern tip

No reviews yetNew Zealand, NI, Bay of Plenty

The northern tip is a well establish marine reserve and offers an abundance of life. Mayor Island - Northern tip is also known as Tuhua Island.

BeginnerMax depth 65.6 ftBoat entry
No photos yet
3

Mooring Bay

No reviews yetNew Zealand, NI, Coromandel peninsula, Alderman Islands

Mooring Bay is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in New Zealand, NI, Coromandel peninsula, Alderman Islands which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

BeginnerMax depth 26.2 ftBoat entry
No photos yet
4

Kapiti Island

No reviews yetNew Zealand, NI, Wellington

Formally established in May 1992 the reserve's underwater scenery is generally regarded as some of the finest in the greater Wellington region. Good variety for photography. Those with a mask and snorkel could explore the rocks close to the shore. Scuba diving is the most rewarding on the western side and the north end of the Island. There are some remarkable features such as the rock archway on the western side of the island known as "Hole In The Wall". Other areas particularly good include Tokohaki Reef, Boulder Bank, Rangatira Point, Passage Rocks, West Point, Kaiwharawhara, Onepoto Rock, Arapawaiti, the Cathedral and many many more. It is unusual to find three common marine habitats of the Marlborough Sounds and Wellington region in such a confined area. The boulder bottom, sheltered reef and sand bottom habitats are home to a rich variety of marine life. Orange and yellow sponges, some very rare, the colours, the reefs and luxuriant seaweed beds feed kina & paua. Starfish, corals, anemones, octopus, stingrays & eagle rays, nudibranchs and reef fish such as blue & red cod, butterfish and red moki are just some of the residents of these waters. Visitors to Kapiti's exceptionally clear waters include ocean fish like king fish & blue moki and on occasions rare and subtropical fish such as the spotted black groper, drumfish and magpie perch. You may also see dolphins, seal colonies and blue penguins. Source: http://www.diversworld.co.nz Several dive sites around the Island: - Tokahaki Reef (N) - Boulder Bank (NE) - Kaiwhara Point (W) - Waterfall Bay (SE) - Aeroplane Island (SE) - Browns Island (SE) 7 km by sea from Paraparaumu.

BeginnerMax depth 45.9 ftBoat entry
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5

White Island

No reviews yetNew Zealand, NI, Bay of Plenty

White Island is a sub tropical dive site with temperatures ranging from 15 - 22c winter - summer. A multitude of dive types including, reef, wall, cave, drift are all possible with the best of New Zealands marine animals for viewing. White Island is an Active marine volcano situated in the Eastern Bay of Plenty. Situated 50kms from Whakatane access is usually by fast day boat 1.5 hours or by extended trips on live a board charter vessels.

BeginnerMax depth 49.2 ftBoat entry
No photos yet
6

Lazens Reef

No reviews yetNew Zealand, NI, Bay of Plenty

Pinnicle rising from 400 meters, home to huge Yellowtail kingfish, blue maomao, giant rays. Situated between White Island and the Volkner Rocks Marine Reserve

IntermediateMax depth 65.6 ftBoat entry
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7

Hole in the Rock

No reviews yetNew Zealand, NI

off Cape Brett

BeginnerMax depth 32.8 ftBoat entry
No photos yet
8

Middle Arch

No reviews yetNew Zealand, NI, Poor Knights Islands

Popular dive. Bernies's Cave is on the left of the arch. Eastern side of Tawhiti Rahi Island, just south of Cleanerfish bay.

BeginnerMax depth 49.2 ftBoat entry
No photos yet
9

Blue Maomao Arch

No reviews yetNew Zealand, NI, Poor Knights Islands

very nice sunlight ambiance. Northern side of Archway island.

BeginnerMax depth 49.2 ftBoat entry
No photos yet
10

Sand Garden

No reviews yetNew Zealand, NI, Poor Knights Islands

Good second dive. Northwest side of Aorangi island, just north of Nursery cove

BeginnerMax depth 49.2 ftBoat entry
No photos yet
11

Old man rock

No reviews yetNew Zealand, NI, Coromandel peninsula

Rocks covered with kelps. A few fish, crayfish and stingrays. Less than 30 min by boat from Opito bay or Matapaua bay.

IntermediateMax depth 49.2 ftBoat entry
No photos yet
12

Motunau - plateau

No reviews yetNew Zealand, SI, Canterbury

Plateau up from 25m to 21m. Lots of crayfish and some blue cods. Visibility can be very low (<1m). Hard spot to find if you do not know it. A bit more than 30 min from Motunau beach.

IntermediateMax depth 65.6 ftBoat entry
No photos yet
13

Green Island

No reviews yetNew Zealand, NI, Coromandel peninsula

Quite exposed to swells and winds, to get sheltered just go on the other side of the island. North east side from 5 to 15 m with rocks covered with kelps and some sand spots. Schools of blue two-spot damselfis, crayfish, pink maomao. Southeast of Great Mercury island.

BeginnerMax depth 32.8 ftBoat entry
No photos yet
14

Te Ruahine Point

No reviews yetNew Zealand, SI, Canterbury

Exposed if the wind is from the east and a swell is running. Patches of reef. Butterfish, wrasses, nudibranchs and Hector's dolphins! Entrance to Akaroa Harbour near Christchurch

IntermediateMax depth 65.6 ftBoat entry
No photos yet
15

Bushett Shoals

No reviews yetNew Zealand, SI, Canterbury

This is Kaikoura's best dive site! 20 miles down the coast from Kaikoura.

BeginnerMax depth 65.6 ftBoat entry
No photos yet
16

Barneys' Rock

No reviews yetNew Zealand, SI, Canterbury

seal colony A few kilometres south of Kaikoura (just south of Peketa)

BeginnerMax depth 39.4 ftBoat or Shore entry
No photos yet
17

Lynch's Reef

No reviews yetNew Zealand, SI, Canterbury

Southeast end of Kaikora penninsula.

BeginnerMax depth 39.4 ftBoat entry
No photos yet
18

Cooks Cove

No reviews yetNew Zealand, NI

Cooks Cove is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in New Zealand, NI which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

BeginnerMax depth 32.8 ftBoat entry
No photos yet
19

Seafire wreck

No reviews yetNew Zealand, NI, Bay of Plenty

The 44 meter vessel Seafire was scuttled at this site in November 2008 as a dive wreck. By boat from Whakatane

IntermediateMax depth 82 ftBoat entry
No photos yet
20

Whale Island

No reviews yetNew Zealand, NI, Bay of Plenty

Typical New Zealand coastal dive site By Boat from Whakatane.

BeginnerMax depth 32.8 ftBoat entry
Numbers match the ranked list of New Zealand dive and snorkel sites. Full map with key

Top dive shops in New Zealand

All 21
Dive Now
5.0 (157) · Whangarei
Book
Dive HQ Christchurch
4.9 (81) · Christchurch
Book
Paihia Dive
4.9 (80) · Paihia
Book

New Zealand diving guide

Ready to check out the best sites in New Zealand for scuba diving, snorkeling, shore diving, free diving or other ocean activities? Zentacle has 36 dive sites, snorkel spots, beaches, and more. Discover hand-curated maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you.

Frequently asked questions

Are there dive shops in New Zealand?

Zentacle lists 21 dive shops in New Zealand. The top-rated are Dive Now (5.0 from 157 reviews) and Waiheke Dive and Snorkel Ltd (5.0 from 93 reviews).