Paihia Dive – Rainbow Warrior & Canterbury Wreck Diving Tours
Updated 1st November 2026
Explore the Rainbow Warrior, HMNZS Canterbury & Bay of Islands Reefs
Discover some of New Zealand’s most remarkable underwater adventures with Paihia Dive in the Bay of Islands. Explore the historic Rainbow Warrior wreck near the Cavalli Islands, dive the impressive HMNZS Canterbury at Deep Water Cove, or discover colourful marine life on guided reef dives. With experienced instructors, scuba diving courses and adventures for different experience levels, Paihia Dive offers an unforgettable way to explore Northland’s underwater world.
Dive The Rainbow Warrior & HMNZS Canterbury
Explore the Rainbow Warrior & Canterbury Wrecks with Paihia Dive
Discover some of New Zealand’s most extraordinary underwater adventures with Paihia Dive, an SSI dive centre offering guided wreck dives, scenic reef diving and scuba diving training in the Bay of Islands.
Explore the world-famous Rainbow Warrior wreck near the Cavalli Islands or dive the impressive HMNZS Canterbury at Deep Water Cove. Both historic shipwrecks have become thriving artificial reefs, attracting fascinating marine life and offering unforgettable underwater experiences.
Rainbow Warrior Wreck Dive – Cavalli Islands
The Rainbow Warrior, once a Greenpeace flagship, was sunk in Auckland Harbour in 1985 and later relocated to the Cavalli Islands, where it was deliberately sunk as an artificial reef in 1987.
Today, this internationally recognised wreck is a remarkable diving destination, combining fascinating maritime history with colourful marine life.
HMNZS Canterbury Wreck Dive – Bay of Islands
The former Royal New Zealand Navy frigate HMNZS Canterbury was deliberately sunk at Deep Water Cove in 2007 to create an artificial reef.
This impressive wreck offers a memorable underwater adventure, with opportunities to discover the vessel’s structure and the marine life that has made it home.
Can Open Water Divers Explore Both Wrecks?
Yes! Both the Rainbow Warrior and HMNZS Canterbury can be explored by Open Water certified divers with one of Paihia Dive’s instructors as an SSI Deep Adventure Dive.
For an additional NZ$50 on top of the wreck diving trip, eligible Open Water divers can undertake an instructor-led Deep Adventure Dive, which also counts towards their SSI Advanced Open Water course.
This makes Paihia Dive an excellent choice for divers looking to experience New Zealand’s famous wrecks while developing their diving skills.
Learn to Scuba Dive with Paihia Dive – SSI Dive Courses
New to diving? Paihia Dive offers SSI scuba diving training, from introductory experiences through to Open Water certification and advanced training.
For first-time divers, the Intro Dive (SSI Try Scuba) provides a supervised introduction to the underwater world, with a maximum depth of 12 metres.
Whether you’re experiencing scuba diving for the first time or working towards your next qualification, Paihia Dive’s instructors can help you progress.
Discover the Bay of Islands Underwater
Beyond the historic wrecks, Paihia Dive also offers scenic reef diving experiences, with opportunities to discover underwater rock formations, colourful fish and Northland’s remarkable marine environment.
Explore the wreck diving trips, reef adventures and SSI training options below to find your next Bay of Islands diving experience.
Explore Paihia Dive Trips – Wreck Diving & Scenic Reefs
Rainbow Warrior Wreck & Reef Dive – Cavalli Islands
Price: From $269 per person Snorkeller $240 per prson
Departs: Trips start at 7:45am each day and return at 4:00pm.
Equipment: Full hire available at additional cost.
Explore one of New Zealand’s most famous shipwrecks on a full-day Rainbow Warrior dive trip with Paihia Dive. Resting at approximately 26 metres near the Cavalli Islands, this historic Greenpeace vessel has become a thriving artificial reef, covered in colourful anemones and surrounded by marine life.
Your adventure includes a guided wreck dive, a scenic reef dive and time to enjoy the beautiful Cavalli Islands. Open Water divers can explore the wreck with an instructor-led SSI Deep Adventure Dive for an additional NZ$50, which counts towards their Advanced Open Water course.
HMNZS Canterbury Wreck & Reef Dive – Bay of Islands
Price: From $269 per person – Snorkeller $240
Departs: Trips start at 7:45am each day and return at 4:00pm.
Equipment: Full hire available at additional cost.
Discover the impressive HMNZS Canterbury wreck at Deep Water Cove, one of the Bay of Islands’ most remarkable underwater attractions. This former Royal New Zealand Navy frigate was deliberately sunk in 2007 and now provides a fascinating habitat for marine life.
Enjoy a memorable wreck dive followed by a second dive exploring the region’s colourful reefs and underwater formations. Open Water divers can join an instructor-led SSI Deep Adventure Dive for an additional NZ$50, with the qualifying dive counting towards their Advanced Open Water course. The scenic journey through the Bay of Islands adds to this unforgettable adventure.
Scenic Reef Diving – Two Dives in the Bay of Islands
Price: From $269 per person (2 reef Dives) – Snorkeller $240
Departs: Trips start at 7:45am each day and return at 4:00pm.
Dive Equipment: Full equipment hire available, extra charges do apply.
Discover the remarkable underwater world of the Bay of Islands on a guided two-dive reef adventure with Paihia Dive. Explore volcanic rock formations, colourful anemones, kelp forests and fascinating marine habitats beneath Northland’s beautiful coastline.
Depending on the dive sites and conditions, you may encounter stingrays, moray eels, schooling fish and other marine life. With scenic walls, crevasses and swim-throughs, each dive offers something different.
Ideal for certified divers wanting to explore the Bay of Islands beyond its famous shipwrecks, this full-day experience combines two memorable reef dives with spectacular coastal scenery.
Encounter a Symphony of Aquatic Life:
- Tropical Fish: Warm currents transport vibrant tropical fish down to these cooler waters, resulting in a thriving underwater ecosystem teeming with color and life.
- Giant Stingrays: Witness the awe-inspiring Short-tail Stingray, the world’s largest, reaching a majestic 3 meters across and tipping the scales at over 300kg!
- New Zealand’s Fascinating Creatures: Discover 5 distinct species of moray eels, including the local favorite, the Mosaic Moray. Encounter the Northern Scorpionfish, which grows to impressive sizes but lacks the venomous sting of its tropical cousins.
All Dive Trips Please Bring…
Please bring your swimsuit, towel, sun block, camera, and something warm to wear after diving. You are welcome to bring your own lunch, or we are happy to provide a packed lunch for $12.00. Just let us know if you would like the meat or vegetarian option.
Paihia Dive – Dive Courses
Paihia Dive also offer a range of dive courses from Discover scuba, Open water, Advanced open water, Rescue, Specialty courses and Dive master.
Phone: 09 402 7551 Freephone: 0800 107 551
Email: [email protected] Visit our Website: divenz.com
