Dive HQ Wellington - Kaikōura
The team at Dive HQ Wellington, despite the name, are your go-to in Kaikōura. They’re PADI 5 Star IDC specialists, which means if you’re looking to go pro, or just want seriously solid instruction, these are your people. We love that they run club dives every Thursday evening – a real community vibe, and a great way to meet local divers if you’re new to the area. Kaikōura diving itself is pretty unique. Think kelp forests, playful dusky dolphins, and the chance of a seal cruising past, all against a backdrop of those dramatic southern alps. We’ve had some cracking dives out there, particularly around the Kaikōura Peninsula where the reef drops away, opening up some cool wall dives. Visibility can vary, often hovering around 10-15 metres, but when the sun breaks through the kelp canopy, it's just magic. Our favourite tip? Chat with the Dive HQ crew about the best time for crayfish; there’s nothing quite like a fresh catch after a chilly dive. They know these waters inside and out, and that local knowledge is invaluable.
- Location
- Kaikōura, New Zealand, Australasia
- Coordinates
- -41.232216, 174.891510
- Phone
- +64 4 568 5028
- [email protected]
- Website
- http://www.diveski.co.nz
- Certification Agencies
- ["PADI"]
- Courses
- PADI 5 Star IDC [padi:36128]
- Address
- Dive HQ - 14 Waione St, Petone, Wellington, New Zealand
Dive Sites Near Dive HQ Wellington
Dive HQ Wellington provides access to 15 dive sites in Kaikōura.
- Allports Island (cenote)
- Allports Island
- Barney’s Rock (reef)
- Barney’s Rock
- Barneys Rock
- Barrett Reef (reef)
- Baxter’s Reef - 5-15m (reef)
- Baxter’s Reef (reef)
- Blue Cod Point (wreck)
- Blue Cod Point (wall)
- Bushett Shoals
- Double Cove Marine Reserve (reef)
- F69 (wreck)
- Flea Bay (reef)
- Go Dive Pacific
Other Dive Centres in Kaikōura
Best Time to Dive in Kaikōura
The warmest water temperatures in Kaikōura occur in February, averaging 18.4°C. The coolest conditions are in September at 13.3°C.
Monthly Water Temperatures
- January: 18.1°C
- February: 18.4°C
- March: 18.1°C
- April: 17.0°C
- May: 15.8°C
- June: 14.6°C
- July: 13.9°C
- August: 13.5°C
- September: 13.3°C
- October: 13.7°C
- November: 15.1°C
- December: 16.9°C
Marine Life in Kaikōura
Home to 37 recorded species including 16 reef fish, 8 sharks & rays, 4 other, 2 sea urchins, 2 hard corals, 2 whales & dolphins.
Notable Marine Life
- Red Rock Lobster (Jasus edwardsii) - Crabs & Lobsters
- Sandperch (Parapercis colias) - Reef Fish
- Snapper (Pagrus auratus) - Reef Fish
- Cape Shark (Squalus acanthias) - Sharks & Rays
- Rig (Galeorhinus galeus) - Sharks & Rays
- dory (Zeus faber) - Reef Fish
- Bluefin Gurnard (Chelidonichthys kumu) - Reef Fish
- Light-bulb sea squirt (Clavelina lepadiformis)
- Ribbonfish (Lepidopus caudatus) - Reef Fish
- Sea potato (Echinocardium cordatum) - Sea Urchins
Recommended Packing List for Kaikōura
Based on average water temperature of 15.7°C, currents 18 cm/s.
- Wetsuit (5-7mm) - recommended for 16°C water
- Hood & Gloves (3-5mm) - helps retain warmth
- Mask - essential for every dive
- Fins
- BCD - buoyancy compensator
- Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
- Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
- Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
- Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
- Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories