Location:
Set in the South Pacific Ocean, New Zealand is made up of two main islands; the North and South — surrounded by cool, nutrient-rich waters that fuel a mix of temperate and subtropical marine life.
 
Why it’s a top dive destination:
New Zealand’s diving is as diverse as its landscapes — from lush kelp forests and volcanic reefs in the north to dramatic fjords in the south. Divers can encounter playful sea lions, schooling fish, and even humpback whales migrating along the coast during winter months.
 
Highlights:
Poor Knights Islands (a Jacques Cousteau favorite)
Fiordland’s black coral walls and sea lion colonies
Kaikōura’s nutrient-rich upwellings and pelagic life
Kelp forests, reefs, and wrecks across both islands
 
Fun Fact:
Every winter, humpback whales pass through New Zealand’s waters on their journey between Antarctic feeding grounds and tropical breeding areas,  and lucky divers sometimes hear their haunting songs echoing underwater.