Porpoise Dive, Mel, Chelsea & Clare

Well, what a surprise we had!  Mel came back to complete her Advanced Open Water bringing her daughter Chelsea to have a Scuba Review and was joined by Clare who had completed her Open Water Course with us back in December 2008.

Chelsea picking out the "red ones"

It was an extremely fun day out for all of us, and we were very lucky with the weather window as the “big blow” was about to close in on us later that afternoon.

Clare being the "model"

One of the specialties that Mel took was underwater photography, so Clare was her “model” and they had a good dive together, on the second dive, Mel and her daughter buddied up and I could swear blind that I could hear giggling underwater! 

Mel, Advanced Open Water Diver - Congratulations

Clare and I buddied up for the second and we were stopped in our tracks when a huge Eagle Ray came “flying round” a boulder and literally put on the brakes and there was a stand off between us and him!  We must not have appeared to be a threat, as he gently settled to the bottom under an overhang, but still kept his eyes on us.

Porpoise Dive & Glen

Glen is over from California – on a travelling holiday in his camper van & likes the independence of being able to come and go as he likes.  He wanted to experience our local fish population and so we had 2 reef and photography dives with him. 

Glen was blown away by the fish life

Glen has been diving since 1968 and had a wealth of information and experience to share, thank you for your photography tips, very much appreciated!  Enjoy the rest of your stay here, and your photos should be arriving soon.

Porpoise Dive & Jane

Jane is living locally and after some while of being out of the water decided to “get her gills wet” again! 

A wave to her brother

She wanted proof for her brother back home in the UK, so was extremely happy that we take photos underwater, so here’s the proof.

Jane had no worries being back in the water at all, her sense of humour kept us constantly entertained the whole day.

Enjoy your holiday Jane and we can’t wait to have you back in the bay – your spot is already booked for you!

The water temperature had dropped to 19 degrees on the surface and to 18 at 20 metres, the viz is still around 15 metres.

Porpoise Dive & Martyn

Martyn is over on holiday from Yorkshire Dales and is a very enthusiastic diver. He has dived on most of the wrecks around the world and was keen to dive the HMNZS Canterbury.

Martyn a man full of surprises!

When he returns (soon) to the UK, he and his partner will be celebrating Martyns birthday in the town hall – I can imagine the fun and stories that will come out then! Martyn is was our pleasure to come to know you both, and thanks for the invite – one day, one day…..

Porpoise Dive take Stephen to Rainbow Warrior

Stephen called us saying he’d like to dive the Rainbow Warrior, as we had been recommended by his friend Gareth, who had come out with us on the Canterbury yesterday.  Stephen is a very likeable person, being a stockbroker you have to have a good sense of humour AND adventure and he lived up to this.

Stephen "blown away by the prolific growth on the Warrior"

We were absolutely delighted to take Stephen for a dive on “the old girl” and he was absolutely “blown away by the growth and life on the old wreck”.  The viz today has dropped back to 10 metres  and the temp down by one degree to 20 degrees.  It was our pleasure to show you around the Cavalli Islands Stephen, yes, we’ll stay in touch!

Porpoise Dive, Gareth & Melanie Dive the Canterbury Wreck

Melanie (from Kerikeri) called asking about diving in the bay and perhaps joining the BOI underwater dive club, and as “Santa had given her diving gear for Christmas”, she would like to try it all out!

Melanie - loves Santa!

Gareth (from Wales) literally threw in his “screwdiver as an Industrial Electrician” and is having a worlwide touring holiday was just “itching! to dive the latest wreck – the HMNZS Canterbury!”

Gareth gives the BIG OKAY

The water temperture today is 21 degrees again, and the viz approximately 20 + metres, just AWESOME!  Both Melanie & Gareth were amazed at the fish and how they’re not scared of divers, we even had some curious Eagle Rays check us out and not “fly away” – now THAT”s a memory as Gareth said. 

Gareth & Melanie "on the Bridge"

We’ll catch up with you soon Melanie & Gareth we hope you enjoy diving in Fiji and who knows where else? Good Stuff you two – thanks for swapping emails!….

Porpoise Dive take Eric & Martin diving on the Rainbow Warrior

Unbelievably, both Eric & Martin decided they would like to dive the Rainbow Warrior and as they had become qualified Open Water Divers through us, we took them to see the “old girl” as we call her.  We were extrememly satisfied in their diving capabilities and they felt confident in us to take them down to 25 metres.

Eric (L) & Martin (R) on bow of Rainbow Warrior

Being first on the wreck by 9am, the viz today was at least 40 metres plus, blue water, kingfish buzzing in and out, eagle rays everywhere and the water temperature was an astounding 21 degrees from surface to bottom! By the time we had surfaced and had our lunch interval, the swell had risen to about 1.5 metres from the NNE so we looked around and found a new dive site which we officially name “Slabbers Point” after “the twins” – we’ll let your imagination go from here!!

Well done Eric & Martin!  Next the Poor Knights we hope? before you go on your seperate ways – and yes, we will definately be looking forward to your return visit – we’ve got a few more sites we’d like to investigate…hmmm

Porpoise Dive Help Eric & Martin become PADI Open Water Divers

Eric & Martin  (twins – Martin by 2 minutes!) are on holiday from the Netherlands, travelling around New Zealand ; soaking up all the fantastic sights and taking on any adventure sports they can get their hands on! Their last adventure sport to take up was DIVING – and they both agreed that it is by far the best sport of them all, and that they were happy they chose to learn to dive at the last and not the beginning of their holiday. As they both said “…if we had done it in the beginning, nothing else would have come close to their new found love”.  The viz was UNBELIEVABLE at least 20 metres in the bay and water temperature has gone back up to 21 degrees.

Eric (L) and Martin (R) Qualified Open Water Divers! Congratulations

It was a pleasure to introduce you into the wonders of the underwater world and now you know  why both of us love diving – congratulations to you both. Eric is off to Indonesia for a while and is excited about diving over there, while Martin has to return home to continue his Landscaping business.

Porpoise Dive take Bob on Photography Dive

Bob is travelling with his wife & friends from Belgium and has seven weeks in New Zealand, last week he dived the Poor Knights, and was just “itching” to dive in the Bay of Islands.  The viz today was an average of 15 metres and the water temperature was around 21 degrees (nice!)

Bob describes Diving as "purely a magical realm"

Bob enjoys diving for photography so he can share his experiences with his wife~ as he says “from the surface, its “just water”, but below the surface, it is truly a magical realm”…I couldn’t think of another discription for how we feel when diving. It was a truly magical day and yes, we’ll stay in touch~keep up the good work Bob, it was a “real treat” for us today.

Porpoise Dive Liz & Bob Scuba Review

Liz & Bob are over in New Zealand from NorthH…. Just below the Canadian border on an extended holiday – trying to escape the “bitter winters back home”. 

Bob enjoying the locals

We were more than glad to help both Liz & Bob back into diving, after a four year absence. The viz today was an average of 20 metres, with the water temperature still holding at 19 degrees.

Liz is so happy to be back diving again

They are here in the Bay of Islands for a further two days, then head down to the South Island to experience Queenstown, before returning back home to the start of their spring. Watch out for those Bears now! It was an absolute pleasure to have you aboard. Keep us the diving!