Snorkelling in the Bay of Islands: what a day with us looks like

Not everyone who comes out with us wants to scuba dive. Some are partners or kids of our divers, some are in the Bay for a few days and want to see what’s under the water, and some have simply never tried it. Snorkelling is the easiest way in, and Deep Water Cove is a great place to do it.

Here’s what a snorkelling day with Paihia Dive looks like, and the answers to the questions people ask us most.

Who it suits

Our snorkelling trips are open to anyone aged 6 and up. Children aged 6 to 14 come at the child rate, and anyone under 18 needs to come with an adult. You don’t need any experience.

If you’re new to snorkelling, or not yet confident in the water, ask about having a guide in the water with you when you book. They’ll show you around, explain what you’re seeing and look after you while you settle in.

Where we go

Most snorkelling days head out to Deep Water Cove, near Cape Brett, about 30 minutes from Paihia by boat. The cove is protected by a rāhui, and you can see the difference: the fish are plentiful and not shy of people.

For a first snorkel we normally start at White Reef. It’s a beautiful spot and an easy place to get used to your mask and snorkel. After lunch on the boat we move to a second spot in the cove, such as Putahataha Island.

Confident snorkellers can also snorkel over the wreck of the HMNZS Canterbury, the navy frigate our divers come to see. Just let us know on the day if you’d like to give it a go.

What you’ll see

The reefs here are volcanic rock, topped with kelp and seaweed, with plenty of gaps and ledges for marine life to hide in. The regulars are snapper, Sandager’s wrasse, trevally and kahawai, and kingfish sometimes cruise through. Look into the cracks and you’ll often spot crayfish, and eagle rays are a common sight gliding over the sand.

Every so often we see dolphins on the way out, or even in Deep Water Cove itself. We can’t promise them, but it’s always a good day when they turn up.

How cold is the water?

This is the question we’re asked most. The water in the Bay of Islands sits around 16 to 18°C in spring and warms to around 20 to 22°C over summer and into autumn.

We don’t use thin snorkelling suits. Everyone gets a full 6 to 7 mm wetsuit, the same kind our divers wear. It keeps you warm for the whole snorkel, and because neoprene floats it gives you extra buoyancy in the water too. That’s an added layer of safety, especially for kids and first-timers.

Visibility changes through the year. Autumn is usually the clearest, summer varies from day to day, and spring is the least predictable. There’s more detail on our About the Bay of Islands page.

Safety on the day

Our crew stay on the boat and keep watch on everyone in the water. Before each snorkel we brief you on the spot: where to swim, what to look out for and how to get back on board. If you’d like someone in the water beside you, ask about a guide.

How the day runs

• The boat leaves Paihia at 8:30 a.m.
• About 30 minutes out to Deep Water Cove
• First snorkel, usually at White Reef
• Lunch on the boat. Bring your own, or add one for $17 when you book
• Second snorkel in the cove
• Back in Paihia around 3:30 p.m.

Snorkellers come out on the same boat as our divers, so it works well for families and groups where some people dive and some don’t. There’s a toilet on board.

Price and what’s included

Snorkelling is $240 for adults and $190 for children aged 6 to 14. That includes the boat trip and all your gear: wetsuit, mask, snorkel and fins.

We keep an eye on the weather and usually make the call the day before. If we cancel for weather, you’re refunded in full, so it’s best to leave that call to us.

Want to go a bit deeper?

If you enjoy the snorkelling and want to see what it’s like underneath, our Intro Dive lets you try scuba diving with one of our instructors. No certificate needed, ages 10 and up.

You can book snorkelling on our Snorkelling page, or give the shop a call on 09 402 7551. We’ll see you on the water.