reef

Log This Dive

MV Mikhail Lermontov, wreck

The MV Mikhail Lermontov isn't just a wreck; it's a colossal steel ghost resting in Kaikōura's relatively calm waters. We love the sheer scale of it, even at a maximum depth of 23m, you’re constantly aware of the ship’s immense size. Descending onto the superstructure, the visibility often sits around six metres, giving the whole dive a wonderfully eerie, atmospheric feel as sections of the ship loom out of the murk. Our favourite part has to be exploring the open decks and the cavernous interior spaces. You can swim through corridors where the carpet once lay, see the ghost of a ballroom, and even poke your head into old cabin doorways. The Lermontov has become an artificial reef, of course, drawing in a surprising number of New Zealand Draughtboard Sharks, which we’ve often seen resting on ledges. Look closely too for tiny Dog's Foot Cockles and the vivid Blue Green Chitons clinging to the metal. It’s a dive that suits those who appreciate a wreck with a story, offering plenty to explore for recreational divers without needing deep technical training. Just remember to bring a good torch; some of those interior sections get properly dark.