Where are we going?
Dive sites are chosen at our Skipper's discretion on the day to allow the best possible dive conditions. We dive the entire Mercury Bay area, including the Mercury Island group, the Aldermen Island group, hundreds of kilometres of coastline, as well as the many offshore islands and pins. 

What happens if the weather is bad?
Our crew are always checking the forecast. Our combination of location, variety of dive sites, large boats, and easy harbour access mean we rarely cancel due to the weather. In the unlikely event that we do, we will be in touch as soon as we make the decision to pull pin and let you know your alternatives. We are happy to reschedule or provide refund should mother nature not play ball. 

What time will I start/ finish?
We ask that all divers meet at our shop at 10 Campbell Street, Whitianga, at 8.30am the morning of their course or dives. Our boat trip customers can expect to return at roughly 3pm depending on the location of the dive sites and the conditions. Training divers will likely finish a little later at around 4pm.

What shall I bring?
All our divers will need to bring their lunch, warm clothes, a towel, reef-safe sunblock, and a drink.

Do you dive the Aldermen Islands?
Yes, we love diving the Aldermen Islands. We occasionally book Aldermen specific dive trips, but prefer to go there when the conditions are looking exceptional. 

How old do I have to be?
We can currently take divers from 12 years old.

Do I need to know how to swim?
Yes, you must be confident swimming 200 metres without assistance.

I haven't dived in a while; do I need to do a refresher course?
Depending on how long it has been since you’ve dived, we usually recommend booking a boat dive with us. We always have an instructor on board able to answer any questions and go over any skills. SCUBA diving is much like riding a bike – you never forget how to use your reg!

Can I catch Crays?
Yes, there is the possibility at most dive sites to grab a crayfish if you see one. This is at the skippers discretion, and you must confirm with them first. We do have a boat limit of one per person.

Can I go spearfishing?
We don't host spearfishermen or freedivers on our standard dive charters, however are always open to go out and do these on a private boat charter. 

Do you offer first aid training? 
Yes, we do offer Medic First Aid training and are also able to award NZQA Unit Standards 6400, 6401, and 6402. Please contact us for more information and dates. 

I have never dived before, or have no certification. Can I still come on a dive trip?
Yes! We offer try-dives for those keen to give SCUBA diving a go. Our boat try-dive costs $650 and includes a full day boat trip with two dives, 1 on 1 with an instructor to a maximum depth of 12 metres. 

How big are your boats?
You can check out our boats here: https://www.divezonewhitianga.co.nz/our-facilities/

For most dive trips, you can expect to be on one of our stable 12 metre aluminum hull purpose-built dive vessels, Scuba Doo or The Mystery Machine. 

Where are you located?
We are based out of Whitianga on the beautiful Coromandel Peninsula. We are a scenic 2.5 hour drive from Auckland CBD, Hamilton, and Tauranga. 

What can I expect to see?
We are fortunate to have hundreds of varied dive sites easily accessible to us. This means every dive is different and we never know what to expect!

Do I need to book dive trips, or can I just turn up?
Yes, you must book to join our dive trips. Particularly over our peak summer period we recommend doing this well in advance to avoid disappointment. 

How long will it take to service my BCD or regulator?
Our service guru Craig is a busy man and does his best to smash out servicing ASAP. It’s tough to give an estimate on service turnaround times as it depends how long his queue is, how thorough of a service your gear requires, and how long it takes for any special parts to arrive if needed. 

Do I need to book to hire equipment?
We have an extensive range of hire equipment and there is not usually any need to book in advance. - would pay to pre-book during peak Xmas periods.  Rock up with your certification card and we will get you sorted!  

Can I get my tanks tested today?
During our peak summer period we offer overnight tank testing. For the remainder of the year you can expect a 1-2 day turnaround time. 

How long will it take for you to fill my tanks?
Give us 20 odd minutes, go grab a coffee, and you’ll be good to go again!

I can't believe you get paid for this.. how do I get a job in the dive industry?
Check out our Diploma course! https://www.divezonewhitianga....