Reviews and travel ratings on Dive North - Bay of Islands in New Zealand (96% from 34 reviews)

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Dive North - Bay of Islands

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  1. Paihia
  1. Sallyo's avatar

    Sally

    New Zealand

    Go back in time to experience the colonial birthplace of New Zealand in the small, yet very busy town in the summer; Russell, where this countries founding document the Treaty of Waitangi was signed. This little town was for a short time the capital city of NZ. Easily accessed by both road and ferry from Paihia.

    19 November 2010.

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Reviews for Dive North - Bay of Islands

Dive North - Bay of Islands
sftyler's avatar

sftyler

United Kingdom

Ranking: 10/10

What a fantastic team, was recommend to me by the hotel i stayed in and was tolled they were the best in the area and he…

What a fantastic team, was recommend to me by the hotel i stayed in and was tolled they were the best in the area and he was right.
Gave them a call and spoke to Sue about diving the "Rainbow Warrior" to find out that it was down at 26 meters and that I need my advance PADI that i decided to do as i only had and open water. With in an hour Dave and Lukasz was down to meet me in Pahia to hand me over the advance dive manuel for some night reading. The pick up the on both morning were bang on time and from my hotel which made it nice and easy for me. On the first day we had 2 dive the first was in the morning where we had the pleasure of a couple of seals jumping in to play with us and i think that must have be the highlight until the afternoon and it being the "Canterbury" and what a beautiful wreck.
The next day was the turn of the "Rainbow Warrior" with Lee and again what beauty. The weather wasn't the best that day but when you are down there you completely forget about it.
During my 2 days with dive north i made 5 dives all very different from one and other, complete my advance PADI and had a load of fun with 3 other divers and great team.
Thanks for the warm drink after each dive and the sandwiches for lunch
Wish you loads of succes and maybe i'll be that side of the world again some day for some more great dives.
Thank you
Kind regards
Steven

Reviewed 15 days ago and experienced in October 2011

Dive North - Bay of Islands
melika's avatar

melika

United Kingdom

Ranking: 10/10

I am an experienced diver and was very impressed with the care and attention to detail during the trips I joined with Di…

I am an experienced diver and was very impressed with the care and attention to detail during the trips I joined with Dive North. I have dived in many places around the world including the English riviera!! The Outer Barrier Reef and Phi Phi in Thailand. Diving in the reefs and wrecks of the Bay of Islands was a must for me and I am so pleased I didn't pass through without a few dives. The two wrecks are great dives and the reefs have appeal too (especially for the range and amount of fish). The history of the Rainbow Warrior made this dive a moving experience and the Cantabury's sheer size and the amount of life on there meant diving it once wouldn't have been enough to see even half of the ship (so I had to do more!). My most memorable dive so far was actually on the reefs nearby the Cantabury where we saw heaps of sting rays and a huge school of kingfish that circled around us for a good few minutes. Dave and the team onboard made sure everyone on the trips were comfortable and happy with the dives and everyone onboard had a great time. I will definatly return to dive with Dive North again!

Reviewed 31 January 2012

Dive North - Bay of Islands
francis's avatar

francis

United Kingdom

Ranking: 10/10

I spent 3 fantastic days doing my open water training with Dive North. This was 1 day in the pool and 2 days on the boa…

I spent 3 fantastic days doing my open water training with Dive North. This was 1 day in the pool and 2 days on the boat doing 4 open water dives. I was a bit nervous about the dives in the open water at first but the instructor was excellent and instilled a sense of confidence and calm which meant that very quickly I felt really at home underwater. We dived a number of reefs around the wreck of the HMS Canterbury and saw loads of really interesting fish and rays as well as lots of other stuff and even saw a big school of dolphins (from the boat that is!)
Everyone was very friendly and there was a good atmosphere on the boat helped by the fact that there were other backpackers diving and Dave and Sue had let us all park our vans on there land.
Really good fun - now I want to go back to dive on the Canterbury!!!

Reviewed 31 January 2012

Dive North - Bay of Islands
jamieroysimmonds's avatar

jamieroysimmonds

United Kingdom

Ranking: 10/10

Having never dived before i turned up in the bay of islands a little nervous of what to expect. i needn't have worried! …

Having never dived before i turned up in the bay of islands a little nervous of what to expect. i needn't have worried! not only did i do both my open water and advanced open water courses through dive north i also stayed with Dave and Sue themselves who are truthfully some of the nicest people i have met! i was made to feel incredibly at home!
i was provided with excellent equipment, and the knowledge of Dave himself and my instructor lee was top notch, i am very confident that i have been well trained and i happy to take on diving around the world! (but i think its going to be hard to beat new zealand! diving both the rainbow warrior and the Canterbury!!)
i would 110% recommend everyone to dive with dive north on the bay of islands and have already started sending people that way it is an amazing experience and you wont regret the decision at all!! i cant wait to go back!! one day i hope!!
thank you so much dave, sue and lee i had an incredible experience!!

Reviewed 08 December 2011

Dive North - Bay of Islands
rudling36's avatar

rudling36

New Zealand

Ranking: 10/10

Excellent operator , great hospitality.

Dave and Sue ensured I had a personal and professional experience when I unde…

Excellent operator , great hospitality.

Dave and Sue ensured I had a personal and professional experience when I undertook a boating course and some diving with them recently. As my instructor for a Master of a Small Commercial Dive Boat course Dave was superb in how he guided me through the programme. I also had the opportunity to dive on the Canterbury and see some of the other sights at Deep Water Cover. Sue and Dave's bed and breakfast was both hospitable and conveniently located to Kerikeri. A big 10 out of 10 from me and will revisit again soon.
Craig
Auckland

Reviewed 23 October 2011

Dive North - Bay of Islands
GenoReynoldo's avatar

GenoReynoldo

Australia

Ranking: 10/10

Great Diving Experience.

The crew made me feel real comfortable, and were a great group of people.

Diving the Rainbo…

Great Diving Experience.

The crew made me feel real comfortable, and were a great group of people.

Diving the Rainbow Warrior was fantastic as well, which is what its all about.

Overall, 2 thumbs up!

Reviewed 06 October 2011

Dive North - Bay of Islands
jmark's avatar

jmark

United Kingdom

Ranking: 10/10

It’s a challenge to plan your NZ diving from the other side of the world, but Sue made it simple, with great communica…

It’s a challenge to plan your NZ diving from the other side of the world, but Sue made it simple, with great communication, helpful advice and by staying in touch during my travels; I could even have parked up my campervan at Sue & Dave’s house. Once in NZ, I was treated to two great wreck dives, including a personal guided tour of the Canterbury by Dave, and much better vis than my usual UK diving offers. The second dives were nice scenic ones as well. Add on the friendly dive team, Dave’s knowledge of the region and his passion for diving and you get a professional, yet relaxed, day out that caters for your own level of qualification. The whole experience was fantastic and very worthwhile, and Sue followed up sending me pictures of our dives. You may dive other sites in New Zealand, but make sure you dive The Rainbow Warrior & HMNZS Canterbury with Sue & Dave and the team at Dive North.

Reviewed 30 September 2011

Dive North - Bay of Islands
eoolsen's avatar

eoolsen

Australia

Ranking: 10/10

Well what can I say that hasn't already been said in the other reviews posted - read them.

If you're looking for a pro…

Well what can I say that hasn't already been said in the other reviews posted - read them.

If you're looking for a professional approach to diving and your safety, unparalleled customer service from initial enquiry to dropping you home after an amazing dive adventure, the full dive service (even to taking off your fins for you to climb aboard - I personally appreciated that), enthusiasm and knowledge of the dives sites, locale and history, and of course awesome dive sites, then this team offers it all. I did my PADI Advance Course and was very happy to have undergone this with Dave and his team, and Sue's lemon cake is sooo good. All in all Dive North is a perfect package, just like New Zealand.

Reviewed 11 September 2011

Dive North - Bay of Islands
Kiedo's avatar

Kiedo

Germany

Ranking: 10/10

I want to thank you the "Dive North Team" for an awesome day and dive at the Rainbow Warrior and the Bay of Islands.
To…

I want to thank you the "Dive North Team" for an awesome day and dive at the Rainbow Warrior and the Bay of Islands.
Top dive gear and really good dive spots.
The whole crew is not only professional, but also really friendly and supporting, so that you can enjoy your day without any worries!
Keep at it!
Some day I will come back for the Canterburry.

Reviewed 28 June 2011

Dive North - Bay of Islands
ocds4321's avatar

ocds4321

Norway

Ranking: 10/10

We came to daves house and felt so welcomed within the first few minutes of arrival. We dived the Rainbow warrior and T…

We came to daves house and felt so welcomed within the first few minutes of arrival. We dived the Rainbow warrior and The Canterbury which are awesome dives, and made even better by Dave giving us insight to both wrecks and local history in the bay of islands. "Gillwalsh" is very much spot on when he says you feel like part of the family. Daves wife had made us banana cake, and sent us pictures from the dive for free within 2 days. Highly recommended, sad thing there are not more companies like Dive North!

Reviewed 31 May 2011

Dive North - Bay of Islands
gillwalsh's avatar

gillwalsh

United Kingdom

Ranking: 10/10

I had such an incredible week with Dave & Sue, they made me feel so at ease and were very supportive during my PADI Open…

I had such an incredible week with Dave & Sue, they made me feel so at ease and were very supportive during my PADI Openwater & Deep Adventure dive training. I really did feel like part of the family by the time I left. Sue downloaded all the pics and videos they took for me which was incredible & Dave was a wealth of local knowledge & a brilliant instructor who took me on some breathtaking dives. I can't recommend them highly enough...Thanks guys x

Reviewed 12 May 2011

Dive North - Bay of Islands
Kris Lim's avatar

Kris Lim

Australia

Ranking: 10/10

I had the best day of my whole NZ trip thanks to these guys. Dave's excellent knowledge of the local sites means that I …

I had the best day of my whole NZ trip thanks to these guys. Dave's excellent knowledge of the local sites means that I would feel confident that on any day he could pick the best possible places to dive for all skill levels and not mind a bit of extra effort to get you there. Their commitment to the quality of customer experience is inspirational.
If you appreciate value for money, quality over quantity, and no BS professionalism then get to the Bay of Islands and call Dave or Sue for all of the above. I wish I could have stayed longer. Thanks alot guys! I hope to see you at Oceanworld some day so i can repay the favor.
Love your work. Kris

Reviewed 03 May 2011

Dive North - Bay of Islands
aragonesa's avatar

aragonesa

New Zealand

Ranking: 10/10

Dive North was an exceptional dive experience! I've dived with enough operators to appreciate what Dive North offered: …

Dive North was an exceptional dive experience! I've dived with enough operators to appreciate what Dive North offered: professionalism, safety, and fun, all in one! Dave went the extra mile in making sure that my experience was completely enjoyable. 19 degrees can be cold, but not if your dive operator gives you the right gear to stay warm...and Dave did. Definitely Dive North if you are in Northland, it is a FANTASTIC experience in every way: wrecks, reef, even gettting to and from the dive sites.

Reviewed 26 April 2011