Diving the Coromandel - Feedback needed [Archive]

View Full Version : Diving the Coromandel - Feedback needed

M1CRO

25th February 2007, 22:00

Anyone dived the Coromandel recently through DiveHQ or Tairua Dive?
Am heading that way in a few weeks to knock up a few dives and was interested in any feedback and suggestions.

I am qualified to Dive Master level and have a few certifications including Nitrox (Enriched Air), so I normally like the scenic dives, but I also like to mix in a few challenges to keep my skills up-to-date (e.g. Night, Deep, Tricky Underwater Navigation etc).

So any suggestions on destination (Aldermen's, Slipper, Mercury, Castle Rock, Shoe Island, Hahei) would be greatly appreciated :)

Blondini

25th February 2007, 22:29

uMMM A buddy would be advisable...and not sure on coro but have you been to poor nights?probably but if not... go there and durville island.. sorry :love:

M1CRO

25th February 2007, 22:39

uMMM A buddy would be advisable...and not sure on coro but have you been to poor nights?probably but if not... go there and durville island.. sorry :love:
Dived the Poor Knights over the Waitangi Weekend with Dive Fish & Snow - Chartered boat with on-board compressor, so it was Dive - Get Out - Have a Feed & a rest - Back in again.. It was absolutely awesome :)
Managed to get 9 dives in that weekend - including 1 Shipwreck, 2 Night and a few deep ones at the Pinnacles - 43 metres or so

Yes - I have a buddy to go with :)

The Marlborough Sounds is a bit far at this stage, but would definitely be on the to-do list (have you done this?)

Blondini

25th February 2007, 22:42

Done the poor nights:yes: The durville is on the wish list:yes:

avgas

25th February 2007, 22:51

Forgot what its called but the reef about 1-2ks straight off waihi beach is good. especially if you dont mind the deep stuff. Also all the rocks round the north end were ammusing, suicide point and the likes.
Mounts artificial reef should be good to see about now as there should be some life on it since it was put in.

Guitana

26th February 2007, 08:00

Dived the Poor Knights over the Waitangi Weekend with Dive Fish & Snow - Chartered boat with on-board compressor, so it was Dive - Get Out - Have a Feed & a rest - Back in again.. It was absolutely awesome :)
Managed to get 9 dives in that weekend - including 1 Shipwreck, 2 Night and a few deep ones at the Pinnacles - 43 metres or so

Yes - I have a buddy to go with :)

The Marlborough Sounds is a bit far at this stage, but would definitely be on the to-do list (have you done this?)

Hi
I lived in Marlborough for five years and in that time did a huge amount of diving There are some shit hot spots around the top of the south Durville is just one of them!
Diving Port Gore is great(on the right day) you can dive the Mikhail Lermentov wreck (reccomended) and that general area is well known for Big Crays!!
Around the sounds is great in season for scallops mmmmmmm!!!!!
The Brothers are good for extra large crays but dangerous to dive without local knowledge but none the less a great spot!!

Have'nt had the chance to dive in the Corromandel yet but would like to hear how you go! Bound to be a local dive store that's got trips going all the time they can give you the best advice!

Goblin

26th February 2007, 08:16

So any suggestions.....I'd suggest you get some nice crayfish then PM me and I will come take them for "research" purposes.

Guitana

26th February 2007, 10:44

I'd suggest you get some nice crayfish then PM me and I will come take them for "research" purposes.

I second that!!!!

Patrick

27th February 2007, 15:17

I'd suggest you get some nice crayfish then PM me and I will come take them for "research" purposes.

Share, Goblin San.....

Maha

27th February 2007, 15:21

Managed to get 9 dives in that weekend - including 1 Shipwrecked

Really?.... you managed to wreck a ship and you want help for why?....:dodge:

Goblin

27th February 2007, 15:30

I second that!!!!

Share, Goblin San.....

Purely in the name of research...I'm doing a study on the effects of seafood on my weight, health, wellbeing, libido etc. Crayfish has proved the most difficult delicacy to obtain so any donations would be greatfully recieved....all in the name of research ya know. ;)

MadDuck

27th February 2007, 15:34

I would rate the Aldermans second to the Poor Knights for diving.

It depends on the weather as to which spots you can dive of course but if its flat arse calm and there experienced divers on board then ask for Daniels Reef.

Finn

27th February 2007, 15:54

I find Opito Bay quite rewarding but mainly for Scollop's and Crays. If you get up early enough, the crays are fast asleep in these little cages that the locals made for them.

Guitana

27th February 2007, 16:12

I find Opito Bay quite rewarding but mainly for Scollop's and Crays. If you get up early enough, the crays are fast asleep in these little cages that the locals made for them.

We found some of those in Kaikoura once!! The boys thought that was damn freindly of the locals to trap them for us!!!
Extremely courteous people those Kaikoureans!!!

justsomeguy

27th February 2007, 16:23

Hey C,

PM redR1 he may be able to give you some company on the "more challenging" dives, along with some advice on diving in the areas your mentioned.

Good luck and send us some pictures.

JSG

Guitana

27th February 2007, 18:50

Hey C,

PM redR1 he may be able to give you some company on the "more challenging" dives, along with some advice on diving in the areas your mentioned.

Good luck and send us some pictures.

JSG

Yeah some Pics would be awesome!!!!!!

Jonny Rotten

27th February 2007, 19:10

if your goin to coromandel id say go straight out of tiarua and straight out to the Aldamen islands (not sure on spelling) shark ally out there is great jumped in and came face to face with a mako it was choice also a few bronzys hanging around....apart from that your see lots of big kingis.....ive also seen one queensland gropper out there.....lots of crays out there to.

also great mercury island is good to...

M1CRO

28th February 2007, 19:11

Thanks for the feedback everyone.. :)

Dive HQ have decided that they are too busy to accomodate us whilst Dive Tairua (who were busy on the Sat), decided to put an extra boat on for us.. So will be heading out with them for two days in a row.. Not much of a photographer sorry - but will see what I can do....

trev

28th February 2007, 19:25

Chris, hopefully I'll catch up with you later in the year when I'm back riding & maybe we can organise a trip to our bach at Opito Bay (we have a boat there). There are many places to check out at the Mercs and out the back of Red Merc is deep blue water diving - 90ft + can be awesome

M1CRO

28th February 2007, 19:30