Check back here on a regular basis for a good idea on where we are planning on diving and when.
We have some brilliant destinations coming up – Shark Tank Dives, Fiji, White Island, Hunting and Photography at Little Barrier … don’t miss out!

We will also keep you updated with individual trip releases – either via the Trips board in store, email or our Facebook page

To hear about our trips as soon as they are released, you can subscribe to our RSS feed to make sure that you are right in the know.

PLEASE NOTE:

Your trip deposit or full payment secures your space.
Any outstanding balances are due a week before departure.

Generally trip payments once made are non-refundable, but most trips have a waiting list and we will do our best to find someone to take your space in the event you need to pull out.
You can help us, and improve your chance of a refund, by finding your own replacement.

If a trip is cancelled by us due to weather or for safety reasons, a full refund or store credit will be given.

Hanging around in Blue Maomao Arch / Photograph by Andrew Simpson

Related Pages

• “Perfecting Mask Clearing” by Madeline Erkkila
• Photography Liveaboard with Richard Robinson
• Fiji 2010 : We’re Running Away!
• Poor Knights July Liveaboard

Banded Weed Fish / Photograph by Martin Wallis

On Saturday the 3rd of July, 2010, while everybody else was participating in the 1st annual underwater Olympics, held by Global Dive, I decided to sneak off and have a dive to make up for disappointing photographic results from the previous dive a week earlier.

The venue was Matheson Bay, Leigh. I hadn’t dived this site for a few months, so was keen to see what I could find.

I headed off from the shore to where there is a break in the rock wall that cuts across the bay, and slowly swam in a north easterly direction from there.

There was no current and the visibility was quite good for the area at about 6 metres. I had my 60mm macro lens on and was slowly searching all the rocks, nooks and crannies, and kelp for anything small.

Then, out of the corner of my eye I saw what at first I thought was an unusual looking piece of kelp.
Upon looking more closely, I discovered that it was a fish. It had its head pointing down and its mouth seemingly attached to a rock on the bottom and its upside-down body was just swaying about in the water in such a way that it looked like a piece of kelp, attached to the rock (see photo insert).

I assume this behavior was the fish attempting to camouflage itself.I fired off a number of shots which didn’t disturb the fish in the slightest.
It had no inclination to move at all.

I wasn’t particularly happy with any of the shots, so decided to spend a little more time with this fella.
I shooed it along a little and re-positioned myself for some better shots.

My settings for all of the photographs I took of this guy were ISO100, f8 at 1/60thsec with strobes set to ¼ power.
I probably spent another five minutes or so with this fish before continuing with the rest of this two hour dive.

My max depth on this dive was 5.5m, and I photographed this guy in between 4-5m.

more information on Martin Wallis Photography – Banded Weed Fish

Related Pages

• No Related Pages

Warm Water - Happy Divers!

Just letting you know that we have organised a great deal for you all on our FIJI trip for this October.
This year we have accommodation options to suit different budgets as well!!!

Not only do we get 12 simply stunning tropical dives (for the price of 10!!!) but the prices below also include your 7 night’s accommodation, airport transfers and breakfast (does not include flights).

You can check out the diving and accommodation on Volivoli Resort’s website (you may recognize one of the divers……ME!)

The dates we are going are from the 9th to 15th October.
We plan to fly back to NZ on the 16th.
(Prices for non divers available on request)

Volivoli Resort. Warm Water - Great Colours - It's FIJI! / Photograph by Andrew Simpson

4* Vale $1555pp double/twin share
Lodge $1055pp ( sleeps 2 ) communal bathroom and kitchen
Dorm $955pp ( sleeps 8 ) communal bathroom and kitchen

We need a 20% deposit (non refundable) to secure spaces (minimum – you can pay more if you like) and payment in full by 10th September…that’s three months

For example if you pay your deposit before the end of June, then the balance to pay is $113.10 per week for the Vale or $76.80 for the lodge or $69.50 for the dorm, to have it all paid for by 10th September.

Really what are you going to spend your money on in the winter?
It’s too chilly to do much except snuggle up by the fire whilst making plans for your next dive trip, day dreaming of warm tropical waters, sipping cocktails on the beach lounger….bliss!.

Bula Vinaka, Anna

Related Pages

• Fiji 2010 : We’re Running Away!
• Trip Report : Fiji Baby!
• Global Dive Trip Schedule
• Spring time at the Poor Knights Islands

Way back last year we thought let’s go to FIJI.
(I can pinpoint the decision down to the time we were on the jetty at Lake Pupuke in a hail storm, getting ready to return to the water after a surface interval spent shivering inside the car with the heaters on full, ruffling the wooly beanies firmly pulled down over goose pimpled heads.) GOOD decision.

We were a select few, but all in need of a tropical dive holiday.
Now let’s just stop here and look at these points separately.

Tropical – palm trees, white sandy beaches, crystal blue water, cocktails, sunshine, WARMTH, islands, TICK

Dive – fish in abundance, hard corals, soft corals, sharks, wrecks, reefs, colour, photo opportunity, guided/unguided, drift, TICK

Holiday – relax, read books, siesta, duty free, socializing, sundowners, suntan/burn/block, getting away from it all, TICK

Put these all into one package and you have Volivoli Beach Resort and Dive holiday.

The guys at Volivoli are a really nice kiwi family whose son trained as a dive instructor in the cool waters of the South Island.
After working in Kaikoura for a bit he ran away to Fiji on his OE and never left.  The family followed and set up the resort which is what they do and do well.

Volivoli is lovely and really well put together.
(They even have and Iron and Ironing board in the 4 star accom!!! Not that I knew what to do with them!?)

The diving was superb.
The outer reefs are lush and teeming with the full spectrum of colourful reef fish. The soft coral is absolutely stunning. Have no doubt as to why Fiji is known as the soft coral capital of the world!!

I’ll let the pictures do the talking on this.

/ Photograph by Andrew Simpson

We saw reef sharks every day and even had a dive with a Turtle.
The inner reefs were a little less clear but we had some fantastic macro dives. Popcorn shrimp beautiful gorgonian fans, anemones with resident clown fish, tropical scorpion fish and leaf fish.

We also spent some time with the biggest eel that I have ever seen!!!
Honestly you could have fit Andrew’s head in its mouth with room to spare, and Andrew’s got a big head!

We all certainly made the most of being on holiday.
Lots of off gassing in the bar and in the sun out side the Bure with the duty free (tip- read the label on the mixers before buying as Gin and Soda is a completely different drink to Gin and Tonic, especially the first gulp!!)

After a leisurely dip in the pool to cool off after a heavy reading session (substitute siesta for reading), we would have a social evening dining and sharing tall tales in the lounge.
All in all this was a tropical dive holiday.

So much so that we are going to go back this September/October.

Related Pages

• Bula Fiji!
• Fiji 2010 : We’re Running Away!
• Travelling with Gear
• Global Dive Trip Schedule

White Island

Diving White Island

White Island is some 50 kilometres off shore from Whakatane and lies 8km west of the White Island trench which reaches depths of up to 1219 metres.

This fascinating place is brushed by the warm waters of an offshore current and offers exciting dives from pinnacles with 150 metre drop offs to cruisy reef dives.

Underwater vents are a feature of this volcanic area. Several archways and extinct fumaroles make the area most interesting.

Fish life is extremely abundant with massive schools of Blue Mao Mao, Pink Mao Mao, Koheru Demoiselles and many other species including Lord Howe Island Coral Fish, Yellow Banded Perch, Banded Coral Shrimps, Blue Moki, Blue fish, Golden Snapper, different species of Moray eels and many more:

Fauna includes many types of kelps, gorgonians, sponges etc.
Masses of Diadema Urchins can be seen on a pinnacle dive known as Diadema Rock.  Between the beautiful Diadema urchins are a sprinkling of firebrick starfish, cup corals (Flabellum ribrum),
Dead mans fingers (Alcyonium auruntiacum), and soft orange coral, assorted sponges and bryozoans,and a few Ecklonia kelps perched on any bit of rock that sticks out far enough from the vertical cliff faces.

Diving Volkner Rocks

Volkner Rocks lie 5 km to the west of White Island.

John Baker Charters

Our charter operator is the well known John Baker of M.V. Ma Cherie.

Ma Cherie

Ma Cherie is a 13m live aboard and John specialises in overnight trips.

There are places for 6 divers on this fabulous trip.

The trip cost is $825.00 for the 3 days.
This includes accommodation and meals from lunch Friday to lunch Sunday.

Tank fills are $5.00 each.

We will be able to set our own trip itinerary based on the experience of the divers confirmed on the trip.

Tara is leading this trip and will organise accommodation in Whakatane on Thursday night for those who need it.

$150.00 is required to secure your space. Get in quick!

Related Pages

• Product Review : Scubapro Fusion Dry Suit
• Global Dive Trip Schedule
• Bula Fiji!
• Dive Team Profile : Tara Sutherland

So we thought we might give you all a little more advance notice.

——————————

What : Richie Robinson Photography Liveaboard

Where : MV Pacific Hideaway out to the Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve

When : Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 February 2010

Price : $420.00 for up to 7 dives (accomodation and food from breakfast Saturday to lunch Sunday)

Related Pages

• Global Dive Trip Schedule
• Poor Knights July Liveaboard
• “Perfecting Mask Clearing” by Madeline Erkkila
• Poor Knights Liveaboard – 23/24 May 2009

Anna and Claudia - lunch at Goat Island

In Mid-August, I started my Padi certificated Open Water Scuba Diving Course at Global Dive.

Since I can think, it was always a dream of me to do scuba diving and get an entrance to this beautiful world.

Due to the season, I was the only person during my 2 theory and 2 pool sessions.

This personal learning in my space was a great advantage. However, my two wonderful diving instructors Anna and Alex proved their excellent teaching skills additionally when two other ladies and I finished our course with 4 open water dives – two in the beautiful marine reserve of Goat Island and two in Auckland’s Lake Pupuke.

At any time, I felt safe, well instructed and informed about the possible dangers as well as what I can await and what I have to do under water.

Even if scuba diving is highly affected by a lot of preparation work, I always had a lot of fun with my instructors and other scuba diving students.

In my opinion, scuba diving is one of the best ways to meet exceptional persons.
Furthermore, the way how the people of Global Dive has taught me scuba diving led to a new and more environmental conscious view of mine for the underwater ecological system.

Thank you for these unique experiences.

Related Pages

• Spring time at the Poor Knights Islands
• Poor Knights July Liveaboard
• Learn to Dive Online
• “Perfecting Mask Clearing” by Madeline Erkkila

Bluebell turnicates at Crinoid Cliff / Photograph by Tara Sutherland

Andrew was down south diving the Mikhail Lermontov with Pete Mesley which meant the girls got to take some great underwater photographs as there was no competition for the Nikon!

Spring time is well and truly happening in the Poor Knights Marine Reserve.

The evidence is everywhere – the walls are covered in bluebell tunicates and the nudibranchs have been doing … well … stuff!!

It was a bit of a bumpy ride out on Saturday morning but by Sunday, the sun was starting to come out and we were greeted with hundreds of Bullers Shearwaters and the sight of Poor Knights Lillies showing their beautiful red flowers on the lofty heights of the islands.

The seal was a lucky shot on Anna’s behalf.
Armed with a Nikon and the macro lens, and hovering underneath the boat on a safety stop, this cheeky little beggar shows up and starts swimming around acting all coy – until the camera came out and then the antics became more pronounced.

It was lovely to see the seals off the rocks and in the water!  It is not often that we get to photograph them playing around.

Hallo seal! / Photograph by Anna Clague

The water is a blamy 15 degrees and we can see the salps starting to come through so now would be a great time to get out there and dive.

With carpet sharks resting on the sand and eagle rays making an appearance, there is plenty to see at all depths.

Madeline and Andrew joined them for the weekend and as you can see, experienced great visibility!

Related Pages

• The best Scuba Diving Course I Can Imagine
• Fiji 2010 : We’re Running Away!
• “Perfecting Mask Clearing” by Madeline Erkkila
• PADI Open Water – 02/03 May 2009

What self respecting Diver hasn’t, or doesn’t, want to dive in Fiji!!?

Let Anna and Tara get you sorted.

We have talked to the guys upstairs and organised a fantastic dive holiday for you, because we like you!
Come with us to dive some spectacular coral reef, wreck and big fish (sharks!) diving in the clear warm waters of FIJI!  Volivoli Resort enjoys more than 18 fantastic dive sites such as the wonderous Astrolabe Reef in the Bligh Waters on Viti Levu’s most northern points.

Not only will we get you diving, but you can have a tropical holiday on the white sandy sunshine filled islands of Volivoli.

Imagine -
‘start the day with some spectacularly memorable diving, back to the island for lunch, spend the afternoon on the beach snorkeling, sunbathing, playing volleyball, kayaking, exploring the island or reading a good book whilst lounging in a hammock strung between two palm trees, followed by an evening of cocktails, dining, and dancing or chatting with good company’.
Repeat for 7 days

‘Put me down!’ I hear you say.

Drop in, call or email us at the dive shop to get your deposit paid to secure your space.

Bula Vinaka,
Anna and Tara

When : 22nd – 28th March 2010

Where : VoliVoli Resort, Fiji

What : $1700.00 inclusive of accomodation, breakfast and 10 no make that 12! dives!

Volivoli Resort has provided Global Dive Club Members with an amazing Dive Stay package;

7 Nights in a Studio Vale & 10 Tank Dive Package
Twin Share – $1700 per person
Includes Return Airport Transfers
Daily Breakfast (5 items off the menu)

Plus an extra 2 FREE DIVES

Give us a call or come in and see us as soon as possible to secure your place on the trip of 2010.

(Please note this does not include flights – however there are many super online deals for flights to Nadi where you will be collected for your transfer – included – to Volivoli Resort.)

[View with PicLens]

Related Pages

• Bula Fiji!
• Global Dive Trip Schedule
• Spring time at the Poor Knights Islands
• Scuba Saturday – 18 July 2009

I spent last weekend on the live aboard to the Poor Knights aboard Pacific Hideaway with a great bunch of keen divers.

Having only completed my Open Water Course on July 12 and having not been for a dive in the briny due to the weather that weekend, I was excited at the thought of finally getting in and under the ocean. Excited and slightly nervous – nervous in a good way that is.

Alex and Simon in The Gardens / Photograph by Andrew Simpson

I wanted to make the most of the trip and do my Advanced Open Water course at the same time. I was very lucky in the fact that I was the only one doing the AOW that weekend. That meant I got one-on-one instruction from Alexandria.

Anticipation was high on Friday night and I didn’t get much sleep. I think I saw every hour in until others started to stir at around 7am. Conditions for the trip were great. None of the wind that we had been experiencing back in Auckland. About an hour after setting off we arrived at Northern Arch.

After a knowledge review and dive briefing, it was time for my first dive. We suited up, geared up and performed our buddy checks and then made our entry. Being in the sea was a strange sensation at first. Being pushed around by the surge also made it interesting trying to perform fin pivots and the hover.

Simon heads off on his last AOW dive - HMNZS Waikato / Photograph by Andrew Simpson

Second dive was a pleasure dive at Landing Bay pinnacle. This blew me away! I couldn’t believe the fish life here. Hundreds of fish, not too concerned with our intrusion. Big snapper aside, my favourite creature here would have been the banded coral shrimp we found hiding in a hole.

Third dive was navigation at The Gardens. Compass navigation went well. Straight line and reciprocal bearings weren’t a problem. My first attempt at the square went a little awry when I got the wrong bearing on the second or third leg, so ended up performing more of a triangle. I got rather lost on our first natural navigation attempt. I paid more attention on the second attempt and got us back to the starting point safe and sound.

Skipper Mark decided Riko Riko Cave would be us for the night. Most of the group went in outside the cave to swim the entrance at change of light. I admit to feeling slightly nervous the thought of doing a night dive. Once we were in the water I felt fine – relaxed as. Saw a few fish resting and the biggest leatherjacket I have ever laid eyes on! Some of the sponges were interesting as well as the phosphorescence on the walls.

After four dives on Saturday, I was feeling it more than a little. Thought I’d sleep like a log but didn’t sleep well at all. Just too excited about what was to come on Sunday I guess.

Simon on the HMNZS Waikato

Dawn finally arrived and as light began to seep into the cave, we made our departure. Our next destination was Ngaio Rock. This was where I did the deep dive. We settled on the sand at 30m where I then had to complete a couple of tasks which involved a bit of a co-ordination test. I was feeling sweet and thought the task was a piece of cake. That was until I couldn’t find the number 17 on the slate. Then I thought it was a trick until Alex pointed it out to me – Dooh! During the debrief I found out that I hadn’t just been touching my nose in between pointing out the numbers, but also the reg. I didn’t notice. It took me 58 seconds to complete the task at 30m and just over 20 seconds back onboard Pacific Hideaway. I also got both the age and maths equation wrong. At the time I knew my answers were incorrect, but I just thought “Oh well!” and handed the slate back to Alex. That was when I thought, “Wait a minute. Something’s not quiet right here!” I got ‘narked’.

I skipped the next casual dive to conserve a little energy for the dive on HMNZS Waikato on the way back to Tutukaka.

The wreck dive was fantastic! Visibility wasn’t flash and the water was green, which gave the wreck a rather eerie aura.

The trip seemed to come to an end as quickly as it had begun. It was a fantastic weekend! Great company, Mark and Pete were fantastic hosts, the food was great – especially the legendary lamb shanks I had heard so much about. Big thanks to Alex for being a fantastic instructor over the weekend. I learnt heaps!

It’s now Wednesday and I am still buzzing. Have got the silly grin I was carrying around all Monday under control finally.

Related Pages

• PADI Advanced Open Water Diver
• “Perfecting Mask Clearing” by Madeline Erkkila
• Global Dive Trip Schedule
• PADI Rescue Diver