Spend three days diving four intentional wrecks in the Bay of Islands — Rainbow Warrior, HMNZS Canterbury, Tui and Waikato — with two dives per day, full gear hire and small-boat charters. Ideal for certified divers aiming to combine history, habitat and advanced deep dives.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
The morning fog lifts over the Bay of Islands and the dive boat slips away from the pier with eight divers and four wrecks on the schedule. Salt stings the air, gulls wheel, and the captain checks lines while the crew runs through gear. Over three compact days the charter stitches together dives on the Rainbow Warrior, HMNZS Canterbury, HMNZS Tui and HMNZS Waikato — ships that have traded creaking metal for kelp-hung corridors and new reef life.
Difficulty
challenging
Duration
3 days (approx. 72 hours)
Fitness Level
Moderate to fit — you should be comfortable handling gear, climbing ladders, and conducting repeated dives over consecutive days.
Wildlife
History
Several scuttled naval vessels in the area were intentionally sunk to create artificial reefs and dive attractions, linking maritime history to contemporary marine habitat restoration.
Conservation
Treat wreck sites as living habitats—avoid removing artifacts and practice neutral-buoyancy diving; local operators monitor site health and encourage minimal-impact practices.
Reserve your spot on the Wreck Weekend Dive Tour today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Certification on hand
Bring proof of your scuba certification and any advanced/deep endorsements; some wrecks require deep diver qualifications.
Stagger flights
Avoid flying for at least 48 hours after your final dive to reduce decompression risk.
Dress for cold water
Wear a 5–7mm wetsuit or equivalent exposure protection; water temperatures can be cool and thermoclines are common.
Seasickness prep
Take antiemetic meds before boarding if you're prone to motion sickness; rough conditions can make surface intervals uncomfortable.
Dive computer (with multilevel tracking)
Critical for managing depths and surface intervals across multiple dives each day.
5–7mm wetsuit or drysuit
Keeps you warm during longer surface intervals and deeper, colder dives.
spring
Mask, fins and snorkel (personal fit)
Personal kit fits better than rentals and improves equalization and comfort.
Surface marker buoy (SMB) with reel
Useful for signaling and safety during descents and ascents in busy boating zones.