South Bay Kaikoura

Baxters Reef is an easy beautiful shore dive, great for training and beginner level divers. The inside of the reef is often protected from swell and wind. The outer is more exposed but offers deeper water (8-16m) and more fish life. Straight forward dive with easy navigation and a clear reef to follow.

Off the east coast of the peninsula, launch from The South Bay Marina. The point that resembles a Sharks Tooth the bays north from there. Also known as Whalers Bay.

A pinnacle of coastal rocks not far off from Baxter’s Reef no more than a 3 minute boat ride from the marina in South Bay. Depths ranging from 10m - 25m.

The first bay over from South Bay on the eastern face of the Kaikoura peninsula. 10 minute boat ride from the South Bay Marina. Depth ranging between 6m and 30m.

The second bay on the eastern face of the Kaikoura Peninsula when launching from South Bay Marina. A hill on in the bay represents a Rhino Horn Giving the site it’s name. The kelp and rocky sea floor supplements many dens and surfaces to sustain many coastal marine life.

8 minute drive from Daves Diving Kaikoura behind the Fyffe House. Entry/Exit point is located at the old boat ramp that is deused. Note that Boats launch from the beach do take care. The yellow ’No Fishing’ Buoy is a reference for you surface swim.

A rough walk over the rocky peninsular of Kaikoura with a difficult entry. Swim through a kelp forest and rock formations with swim throughs and small caves to explore. With many entry and exit points this dive site can be enjoyed many times. Surge and swell can make this dive tricky especially the entry and exit.

A submerged pile of rocks on the outskirts of Jimmy Armers Beach on the north-side of the Peninsula, Launching from the beach it’s self the site is no more than 2-3 minutes away.

Launching from Jimmy Armers Beach, Saint Kildas Rock is only a 3min boat trip. The Rock is located with a Rahui and provides a stunning coastal kelp enivroment full of fish life.

A set of Nine Rocks that you can see breaching the surface. Directly out from The Pier Hotel. Launching from the ramp outside of The Pier Hotel at high tide only. These Rocks mark the north side of the local Rahui.