Into The Deep - Diving New Zealand

You're never more than three hours by car from the coastline in New Zealand - so you're never far from another dive opportunity.

The coastline is long and shaped in a huge variety of ways, from long bays or rocky coastlines exposed to the surf, to a myriad of inlets, harbours and deep, ancient fiords. Variations in climate from the subtropical top of the North Island to icy cold waters in the deepest South Island, combined with a unique position as the meeting point for currents flowing north from the Antarctic and south from the tropics, add to the diversity of dives.

New Zealand waters are usually clear, particularly between February and June. Many great dive sites are just offshore, enabling easy access. A system of Marine Reserves provides a good starting point for finding sites where animal life flourishes.

The far north of the North Island is known for its premier dive sites. A gentle climate and ocean currents that run down from the tropics add to the appeal. The Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve, off the east coast, was New Zealand's second marine reserve. A broad range of habitats, from kelp forests to caves, and tropical currents make for a big variety of species - many of them found nowhere else in New Zealand. Jacques Cousteau considered the area one of the world's top five dive sites. Another notable site in Northland is the Cavalli Islands, where the Rainbow Warrior, a Greenpeace ship, has been used as an artificial reef to provide habitat for a myriad of fish and jewel anemones. The Bay of Islands is a popular diving destination, while Cape Rodney - Okakari Point Marine Reserve, near Leigh on the east coast of Northland, is a great place for beginners. A sandy beach descends into a sheltered bay and huge numbers of fish thrive right up to the shoreline - look for blue cod, goatfish, piper, eaglerays, parore, red moki and crayfish. All fish and other sea creatures are fully protected - that's why there's so much to see - and feeding the fish is prohibited. Non-divers can rent a snorkel and mask to get amongst it.

Further south, there are more good dive sites to explore. Kapiti Island Marine Reserve, north of Wellington on the west coast, is rewarding, however a chartered outing is recommended because conditions can change quickly here. Underwater, you'll find remarkable natural features and a range of habitats within a small area. The water is exceptionally clear and a great variety of fish, starfish, corals, anemones and octopus are easy to spot.

The drowned river valleys of the Marlborough Sounds in the South Island offer a range of dive experiences. The Long Island - Kokomohua Marine Reserve in Queen Charlotte Sound is 35km from Picton and only accessible by boat. Habitats range from rocky shores to deep reefs, underwater cliffs and canyons, and sand flats. Permanent inhabitants include many species of fish, shellfish and crustaceans, and visitors to the area include seals and dolphins. In the extreme south of the South Island, snow runs from the Southern Alps into fiords, creating a diving experience unique in the world. Some areas are very remote with few facilities and the weather can be unreliable, but this is the place to see the world's largest population of black coral trees, some of them 200 years old. At the Te Awaatu Channel Marine Reserve in Doubtful Sound you'll find the highest diversity of species known in the fiords. Divers need to be experienced, though, because conditions can be extreme.

Between the extremes of north and south are many accessible and well-charted regions to suit your level of experience. If you've always wanted to try diving, New Zealand is the perfect place to take some lessons and realise a dream. For those with more experience, New Zealand offers one-of-a-kind and challenging dives that you'll never forget.

For information on where to dive and what you can expect to see, check out www.divenewzealand.com Bring your Diver's Certification Card with you if you have one. For beginners, instruction and certification programmes are widely available.