Exploring diving

The great and late Jacques Cousteau opened up a whole new world underwater in our living rooms through a television screen. His ground-breaking television series introduced millions of people to life in the ocean, gave us an idea of its wildlife, character and the role of some of the world’s great marine treasures like the Great Barrier Reef in terms of maintaining our overall environment.

The Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve, off the Bay of Islands, was one of his Top 5 World Diving Locations which is really saying something as Jacques Cousteau dived extensively all around the world.

Given this really is God’s own country you can dive shipwrecks, explore huge kelp forests and sub-tropical reefs, swim with the fishes and alongside dolphins in the wonderful clean, clear waters off our coasts. And on top of all that beauty, you can also spearfish and collect crayfish, kina and other seafood for dinner later.

Lessons to become qualified to dive in New Zealand are readily available throughout the country, and there are plenty of organised dive tours to show you the best places to take your first dive and shops to pick up or hire your dive gear. If you pass the medical requirements and can swim at least 200metres and tread water for 10 minutes, you are ready to talk to a dive instructor.

Outside Auckland, Goat Island is the place everyone heads to have a good look at colourful fish and marine life in their initial snorkelling and scuba forays.

As you become more experienced, there are plenty of boat dive trips to choose from if you don’t own your boat for day and night diving forays. Have fun!