1 Day • 2 Dives
Sharpen your diving technique with two coached dives at the Poor Knights Islands—one of the South Pacific's richest marine reserves. This one-day course combines buoyancy training, fish ID and underwater photography to make every dive safer and more memorable.
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Difficulty
moderate
Duration
6–9 hours
Fitness Level
Comfortable swimmer with basic dive fitness; able to carry and don scuba kit and perform repeated surface swims and entries.
Wildlife
History
The Poor Knights Islands are a legally protected marine reserve with cultural significance to local Māori and strict fishing restrictions to preserve biodiversity.
Conservation
Operators follow reserve rules and emphasize low-impact diving—practice neutral buoyancy, avoid touching life, and dispose of nothing at sea.
1 Day • 2 Dives
Finish eLearning beforehand
Complete the PADI eLearning and online medical form before the course so you can dive straight into in-water training.
Bring seasickness meds
The crossing can be choppy; take antiemetics if you’re prone to motion sickness before boarding.
Protect the reef with buoyancy
Practice neutral buoyancy and trim to avoid contact with sponges and anemones—small adjustments protect fragile habitats.
Use a waterproof camera bag
Keep electronics and logbooks dry on deck; a small dry bag protects gear during boat transfers.
Mask and snorkel
A personal mask with good fit improves comfort and camera work at depth.
5-7 mm wetsuit (cool months) or 3-5 mm (summer)
Water temperatures can be cool; an appropriate suit keeps you comfortable and conserves air.
winter
Dive computer
Tracks no-decompression limits and surface intervals for multiple dives in a day.
Underwater camera or housing
Useful for practicing composition and documenting fish ID and naturalist observations.