Where do Dive Zone Whitianga dive trips go?

• We run daily group diving trips to the great dive spots right on our doorstep, including the Mercury Islands, Aldermen Islands, and the Te Whanganui-a-Hei / Cathedral Cove Marine Reserve, plus fantastic diving along the eastern Coromandel coastline. With over 30 islands and countless rocks, pinnacles and bays within about an hour of scenic boat travel from Whitianga, the final destination is chosen by the skipper based on the day's conditions. 

Do I need to book in advance and is there a deposit?

• Bookings are essential for all trips. A deposit of $100 per person is required to secure bookings during our peak summer season. Deposits are only refundable if the trip is cancelled due to adverse weather conditions.

What happens if the weather is bad?

• Our crew are always checking the forecast. Our combination of location, variety of dive sites, large boats, and easy harbour access mean we rarely cancel due to the weather. In the unlikely event that we do, we will be in touch as soon as we make the decision to pull pin and let you know your alternatives. We are happy to reschedule or provide refund should mother nature not play ball. 

When and where do dive trips depart from Whitianga?

• Trips meet at Dive Zone Whitianga, 10/12 Campbell Street, Whitianga, at 8:30am to complete the necessary pre-dive registration and arrange any rental gear. Our shop is open Sunday to Thursday 8:00am–5:00pm and Friday to Saturday 8:00am–6:00pm.

Is Whitianga good for beginner divers?

• Yes! Beginners start in sheltered bays and gentle sandy shallows that lead into rocky reefs wrapped in lush kelp forests, teeming with leatherjackets, Sandager's wrasse and red moki. Dive Zone Whitianga is a PADI 5 Star Career Development Center offering courses from beginner Open Water Diver to Rescue Diver and beyond.

What about experienced divers?

• Yes!  We have 100's of dive sites and lots of offshore islands.  This gives us a huge range of territory to explore and dive sites that suit the more experienced divers too.

Is diving in the Coromandel available year-round?

• Yes, throughout the year there is great diving to be done. The sheltered harbour entrance and the many dive sites offering protection from different weather directions mean good diving can usually be found even on the most uninviting of days, with the final site chosen at the skipper's discretion.

What shall I bring?

• All our divers will need to bring their lunch, warm clothes, a towel, reef-safe sunblock, and a drink.

Can I use my own dive equipment?

• Yes, however your own gear is subject to our safety checks. We reserve the right to refuse use of any equipment that does not meet our inspection standards, in the interest of your safety.

How old do I have to be?

• We can currently take divers from 12 years old.

Do I need to know how to swim?

• Yes, you must be confident swimming 200 metres without assistance.

I haven't dived in a while; do I need to do a refresher course?

• Depending on how long it has been since you’ve dived, we usually recommend booking a boat dive with us. We always have an instructor on board able to answer any questions and go over any skills. SCUBA diving is much like riding a bike – you never forget how to use your reg!

Can I catch Crays?

• Yes, there is the possibility at most dive sites to grab a crayfish if you see one. This is at the skippers discretion, and you must confirm with them first. We do have a boat limit of one per person.

Can I go spearfishing?

• We don't host spearfishermen or freedivers on our standard dive charters, however are always open to go out and do these on a private boat charter. 

Do you offer first aid training? 

• Yes, we do offer Medic First Aid training and are also able to award NZQA Unit Standards 6400, 6401, and 6402. Please contact us for more information and dates. 

Do I need to be certified to dive with you?

• No! We offer try-dives for those keen to give SCUBA diving a go. Our boat try-dive costs $650 and includes a full day boat trip with two dives, 1 on 1 with an instructor to a maximum depth of 12 metres. 

What dive training and courses do you offer?

• As a PADI 5 Star Career Development Center we offer PADI recreational dive training from beginner Open Water Diver to Rescue Diver and beyond, PADI career dive instructor training, freediving courses, dive tank testing and servicing, dive equipment servicing, and workplace first aid training.

What marine life can I expect to see diving in Whitianga?

• Eagle rays and shorttail stingrays glide over sandy hollows, and on rare, unforgettable days the massive longtail stingray, reaching up to four metres may appear, sometimes in groups. Schools of jack mackerel swirl overhead while red moki, Sandager's wrasse and leatherjackets work the reefs, and black angelfish, porcupinefish, butterfish, rock lobster (red and packhorse) and yellow moray eels shelter among the rocks. Inside the Te Whanganui-a-Hei / Cathedral Cove Marine Reserve, huge schools of oversized snapper and remarkably relaxed crayfish are common sights.

Do I need to book dive trips, or can I just turn up?

• Yes, you must book to join our dive trips. Particularly over our peak summer period we recommend doing this well in advance to avoid disappointment. 

Do you organise dive trips further afield?

• Yes, we run annual trips to islands throughout the Pacific and occasionally the Philippines and the Galapagos Islands, including expeditions such as Minke whale trips to the Great Barrier Reef and liveaboard diving in Raja Ampat, West Papua. Talk to us about where you would like to explore — it is always fun with a group of like-minded divers.

How big are your boats?

• For most dive trips, you can expect to be on one of our stable 12 metre aluminum hull purpose-built dive vessels, Scuba Doo or The Mystery Machine. You can check out our boats here: https://www.divezonewhitianga.co.nz/our-facilities/ 

Where are you located?

• We are based out of Whitianga on the beautiful Coromandel Peninsula. We are a scenic 2.5 hour drive from Auckland CBD, Hamilton, and Tauranga. 

How long will it take to service my BCD or regulator?

• Our service guru Craig is a busy man and does his best to smash out servicing ASAP. It’s tough to give an estimate on service turnaround times as it depends how long his queue is, how thorough of a service your gear requires, and how long it takes for any special parts to arrive if needed. 

Do I need to book to hire equipment?

• We have an extensive range of hire equipment and there is not usually any need to book in advance. - would pay to pre-book during peak Xmas periods.  Rock up with your certification card and we will get you sorted!  

Can I get my tanks tested today?

• During our peak summer period we offer overnight tank testing. For the remainder of the year you can expect a 1-2 day turnaround time. 

How long will it take for you to fill my tanks?

• Give us 20 odd minutes, go grab a coffee, and you’ll be good to go again!

I can't believe you get paid for this.. how do I get a job in the dive industry?

• Check out our Diploma course! https://www.divezonewhitianga....