Paihia Dive

Located in the heart of Paihia, Paihia Dive has been a cornerstone of the local diving community since 1978. As the oldest 5 Star SSI Dive Resort in the Bay of Islands, the centre has built a reputation based on decades of local expertise and a deep connection to the surrounding waters.

The centre is particularly well-known for its involvement with the region's most famous underwater landmarks. They have been operating excursions to the Rainbow Warrior and the HMNZS Canterbury since the late 1980s, offering divers the chance to visit these historic sites with an operator that knows them intimately.

The centre is a family-run operation led by owner Craig Johnston, an experienced diver with over 15,000 dives. The team is composed of the Johnston family and a group of passionate instructors who bring a high level of professional expertise to every trip.

Operating as an SSI 5 Star Dive Resort, the centre provides a flexible approach to instruction, adapting to the individual learning styles of each student. All activities and instruction are conducted in English.

Paihia Dive offers a comprehensive curriculum through SSI, covering everything from initial entry-level certifications to professional development. You can complete the Discover Scuba Diving or Intro Dive programmes, followed by the SSI Open Water Diver and Advanced Open Water Diver courses.

For those looking to advance their skills or career, the centre provides the SSI Stress and Rescue Course, various Specialty courses including Deep and Wreck specialties, and the SSI Dive Guide / Divemaster Course. They also offer training in Peak Performance Buoyancy, Navigation, Digital Photography, and Naturalist specialties, alongside Freediving and Night diving.

The primary vessel for larger excursions is the Aka Maru, a 7.5m RIB (rigid inflatable boat). This boat is used to reach the various reef and wreck sites across the Bay of Islands.

For trips to the Rainbow Warrior, the centre utilises a 7.5m inflatable boat. All departures from the dive shop on Williams Road are scheduled for 8:30am following a 7:45am rendezvous.

Full equipment hire is available on-site for divers who do not wish to travel with their own kit. The rental selection includes regulators, BCDs, wetsuits, hoods, masks, snorkels, fins, boots, and weight belts.

For those who prefer to bring their own equipment, the centre provides air fills. Individual components such as regulators, BCDs, or wetsuits can also be hired separately.

The marine life in the Bay of Islands is heavily influenced by the East Auckland Current, which brings tropical species into the temperate zone. On the reefs, you will find a diverse array of fish including Gold ribbon Grouper, Toadstool Grouper, Green Wrasse, Sandaggers Wrasse, and Snapper. You may also encounter Kermadec Scalyfins and Lord Howe Coral fish.

Large pelagics and interesting residents frequent the area, with sightings of dolphins, seals, and penguins common. Stingrays, specifically Short tail Rays, can be found on the bottom, alongside various types of Moray eels, including the Mosaic variety. Northern Scorpionfish are also present among the reef structures.

Macro life and smaller residents include several types of Moray eels and the Northern Scorpionfish. The volcanic reefs and kelp forests provide plenty of cover for these species and other smaller inhabitants of the ecosystem.

Diving in the area is influenced by the East Auckland Current, a branch of the East Australian Current that brings warmer, tropical water into the region. This current is responsible for the high diversity of fish species seen on the reefs.

Visibility is generally good, ranging from 15m to 20m, though it can reach up to 40m during the late summer months.