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The Ocean is our way of Life

ABOUT US

Daves Diving came to fruition when two Daves, who were equally passionate about diving and our seas, came together by chance and chose to join forces to create a 5 star establishment. Each Dave had the mutual goal of making our wonderfully wild coastline accessible to all those with a spark of adventure in their hearts.

Here at Daves Diving, we offer diving for all ages and experience levels. Not only diving, we also carry a variety of SCUBA and snorkelling gear, equipment rental and a variety of gear servicing and repairs.

Fantastic diving along the entire coastline of Kaikoura is our specialty. Kaikoura is a very special place, with a remarkable level of biodiversity, our cold water diving is some of the coolest around (pun intended).

There are few places on earth like Kaikōura, a small coastal village that has breath taking views that will stop you in your tracks.  The towering snow-clad mountains known as the Seaward Kaikōura’s provide a stunning backdrop over the town centre which extends out to the Kaikōura Peninsula, where the waves of the Pacific Ocean roll in. 

In our small town, the ocean holds significant value to every single resident in some way or another. The powerful waters of the Pacific can seem daunting to those who may be unfamiliar, but with the right knowledge, can provide many breath-taking adventures. With several water-based tourism operators in town, our specialty lies beneath the surface.

The diving here is unlike any other. The peninsula holds a spectacular volume of biodiversity, what you'll find on dives with us is a scene absolutely bursting with life.

Beneath the surface, a breath-taking underwater garden awaits, adorned with a kaleidoscope of kelps and seaweeds in an array of vivid reds, oranges, purples, greens, and browns that gracefully blanket our rocky reefs. As you explore these waters, you'll discover a rich tapestry of marine life.

Our pristine underwater environment teems with an abundance of native fish species, including octopus, moki, blue cod, wrasse, and butterfish, creating a bustling underwater ecosystem. From time to time, schools of baitfish gracefully glide by, adding to the captivating spectacle.

Amidst the rocks, hidden gems await, such as crayfish, paua, and Kina beds, sometimes cleverly concealed in plain sight. Keep an eye out for fascinating macro life like nudibranchs.

Ready to take the plunge?

Our Environment

The Kaikōura Peninsula is located in the northeast of New Zealand's South Island. It protrudes 5 kilometres into the Pacific Ocean. The town of Kaikōura is located on the north shore of the peninsula, the peninsula itself is geologically fascinating and hosts a spectacular array of marine biodiversity.

Map of Kaikoura

Meet Our Team

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Open Water Pool Sessions

Haylee

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David W

The Dave

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Sean W

Sean

Dave had his first taste of diving in meteor formed West Hawk Lake in Canada back in 1981. Many years and so many locations later Dave still loves the underwater world. It is a truly magical and natural place that deserves our love, protection and admiration. With the willing help of his dive instructor daughter he attained his Rescue Diver Cert a couple of years ago and with the lovely opportunity afforded by the local paradise that is Kaikoura, well, the sky's the limit! Dave's day job is dentistry and he has been practicing  in Christchurch since emigrating to this lovely country with his young family in 2003. Daves' Diving Kaikoura opens the door to yet more grand adventure and the future is, indeed, wet!

A Kaikoura local, Haylee began her diving journey in the chilly winter waters of 2013. Since then, she’s chased warm waters around the globe, diving in incredible locations like the Pacific, Cyprus, Malta, Zanzibar, Thailand, Vietnam, and Bali. A true marine enthusiast, she’s especially obsessed with nudibranchs and loves spotting these vibrant sea slugs.

As our Operations superstar, Haylee keeps everything behind the scenes running seamlessly. Whether she’s behind the desk, underwater, or manning the boat, she’s here to help you make the most of your diving experience at Dave’s Diving Kaikoura.

You usually will find Sean avoiding the winter months by gallivanting through the warm waters of Niue, Australia, Fiji, and the Solomon Islands. Yet he always returns tanned and ready to spread his love for Kaikoura's underwater world. With his extensive experience and adventurous spirit, Sean is here to make your diving course or experience unforgettable.

Ensuring our gear is in top shape, tanks are full and the boat is ready. Sean is always there to help and is happy to get you exploring alongside him!

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Aaron P

Aaron

Aaron has been flying helicopters over Kaikoura for 13 years, and now we’re lucky to have him join us as a skipper whenever he’s not busy in the skies! With his technical know-how of Kaikoura’s unique weather patterns and an impressive knowledge of local marine life, Aaron brings a fresh perspective to our team. Whether he’s navigating from above or on the water, his insights add an extra layer of expertise to every trip!

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Dani S

Dani

Dani completed her Dive Master Training with us before heading off to the Solomon Islands, where she worked aboard a liveaboard to expand her diving expertise. With extensive experience in Kaikoura, whether she's guiding dolphin tours or diving beneath the waves, Dani brings an adventurous spirit and unmatched spotting skills to every dive.

When she’s not near, in, or on the water, you’ll likely find her with a paintbrush in hand, creating incredible artwork inspired by the ocean.

Diving in Kaikoura has been Ray's passion since he was 10 years old. Visiting frequently to jump in and gather some kai moana with family and mates. He approached the dive shop for something new and completed his Divemaster training with Dave's Diving over the course of the 2025/26 summer season. Quickly he became apart of the Dave's Diving family and was asked to stick around. Always happy to help you in and out of the water Ray is there to make your diving experience enjoyable. 

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Ray H

Ray

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