Starting the year strong with a mixture of 45 kiwis and internationals, saw 2025 as being another busy year of Marine Academy. We had students completing all programs ranging from Open Water through to Divemaster. Our Rescue diver students have gained their Level 3 certificate in diving a qualification that recognizes competence and experience.
The divemaster students returned for a second year to complete the first PADI professional rating, meaning they can work anywhere in the world while getting paid to dive.
As always, the highlight of the year was the Northland Dive trip where we spend 2 days diving the HMSNZ Canterbury Wreck and surrounding sites around the Bay of Islands. We had some epic visibility, discovered new sites and enjoyed some delicious lunches, thanks to Northland Dive. We got extra lucky on some of our training days back in the Mercury Bay, spotting the occasional Dolphin, Orca and hanging out with a curious seal.
The Dive Zone team have worked hard to get everyone certified and create an experience that will be remembered for a long time to come. Diving is something that can be enjoyed almost anywhere in the world and we are stoked to have the chance to open up this opportunity to our students.
For some, Marine Academy has sparked passion and created opportunity to become Instructors and carry on their diving education. This year we had 3 ex-Marine Academy students join our DIPSI program and are now qualified PADI Open Water Scuba Instructors! We are very lucky to have a place where we can help kickstart careers and become part of the adventure industry.
We are looking forward to showing the next group of adventurers our underwater world in 2026!
