Detailed itinerary - Coromandel and Bay of Plenty - 7-day tour
Day 1 - depart Whakatane- 2 dives White Island and volcano walk
White Island is an active volcano and offers fantastic diving with a wide range of marine life and fish species. White Island is also known for its huge Packhorse Crayfish and 20 plus metre visibility is very common. Golden Snapper, Kingfish, Blue Mao Mao, Moray Eels and Stingray are just a taste of what you can see.
Tauranga overnight
 Day 2 -2 dives Motiti including the wreck Taioma
Enhancing the diving environment is the wreck of the Tug 'Taioma' which scuttled March 2000 on the south eastern side of Motiti Island in 27m of water. A number of fish have already made their home, and the tug is totally encrusted with life.
Thereef areas around Motiti Island range from 5 to 18m in depth generally with excellent visibility.
Whangamata overnight
Day 3 - 2 dives Mayor Island including marine reserve
Mayor Island including Tuhua Marine Reserve is just under
an hours steam from the Whangamata harbour. An exposed island, it has unique geological features, kelp forest, and a wide range of warm temperate species. The Marine Reserve allows you to experience an untouched wonderland. Visibility ranges from 11 to 24m+.
Whangamata overnight
Day 4 - SHARK DIVING!!!!!
On top of undersea mountains.
Whangamata overnight.
Day 5 - 2 dives Aldermen Islands
The water clarity is 15 to 30 meters much of the year. Diving these islands allows you to experience great rock formations, underwater caves, reefs dropping from 10m to 80+m.
The Aldermens are a group of over 19 islands and outcrops located 12 miles from Tairua and 17 miles from Whangamata. The islands are a protected wildlife sanctuary and landing on the island is allowed strictly by permit only.
Visibility at the Aldermens has been around 20 metres and with the summer months behind us the visibility will keep getting better. Swarms of Trevally and Kahawai are being seen regularly along with the always plentiful blue Mao Mao. In various places are resident schools of golden snapper which are always a delight to see. Recently large schools of large kingfish have also been reported. Many people consider the Aldermens as one of the best dive spots in New Zealand and there are various reasons for this.
There are massive difference in the depths of possible dives at the islands which means there are dives to suit all abilities and preferences. Other factors are the massive drop offs between 10m to 80m+, peaks and caves, means divers can have an amazing diverse experience all in one area.
Whitianga overnight
Day 6 - 2 Dives Mercury Islands
The seven-island Mercury group lies 30 kilometers off the Coromandel Peninsula. The largest, Great Mercury, or Ahuahu, is privately owned, the rest are fully protected nature reserves. Fantastic diving and scenery! A regular sight of interest is large ships taking the shortest route though the path of the numerous Islands, outcrops and reefs in the area.
Whangaparapara (GBI) overnight
Day 7 - 2 dives Great Barrier Island
So close to Auckland yet a whole world away. Rugged coastline and sheltered deep
water bays make this a diver’s paradise. Scallops, crayfish and an abundance of snapper are just the start. The island has is own sounds, gannet colonies and is really something to behold!
Arrive Auckland
Extras/options:
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Dive
Sail
Surf
Bike
Walk
Kayak
Golf
Horse
treks
Food & Wine
Snow Sports
Caving
Adventure
This trip boasts the diving experience of a lifetime aboard a very new vessel that is fast and very safe, which can take you to some fantastic and unspoiled dive sites.
