January Dives
24 th Crayfish and Scallop Dive
Outer Sounds. Cook Strait, Cape Jackson, Weather dependent
31 th Scallop Dive
Inner Sounds Dive. Sarah, Matt and Jason will be your guides. Two more weeks before the scallop season ends again.
February Dives
7 th Spearfishing and freediving
Aiming for outer Sounds. Target species: Kingfish, Blue Cod, Tarakihi, Blue Moki, Butterfish and Crayfish. Suitable for all levels.
13 th Scallop Dive
Inner Sounds dive, last change to pick up some tasty scallops.
14 th Kaikoura coast Dive.
Shore dive. Looking for Crayfish and Butterfish.
21 th Cray Dive
Outer Sounds. Cook Strait, Cape Jackson, Weather dependent
28 th Girls Dive
After a huge success last time Sarah will guide the ladies to some awesome spots in the Sounds. Suggestions welcome.
NB All dives are weather permitting.
Please contact us for more information. bdc@xtra.co.nz

Sarah with some good scallops and "Team Picasso" Bryan, Tai and David with some good crays from freediving.

Wreck Dives

Mikhail Lermontov

New Zealand ’s "Premiere wreck dive".

Hi Divers ! welcome to Australasia's biggest and best diveable shipwreck. Bryan has been diving her for a very long time, almost 22 years. Anyway, read on, then contact us for your Mikhail Lermontov adventure !

Our Dive Centre is in Blenheim, however our boat is in Picton (Waikawa Marina) so we normally travel by vehicle from Blenheim to the Marina and go by boat from there. So if a pick up is required somewhere on the way, please let us know and we will see what we can do.

Day trips, multi-day, Liveaboard or stay out at a lodge. Just let us know and we will sort it out for you or your group. Or check out our trip schedule to what dives are suitable to you ?

Above, an absolute u beaut day at the Lermontov !

The Mikhail Lermontov sank in Port Gore on the 16th February 1986 and is New Zealand's biggest diveable shipwreck. This Russian cruise liner is reputed to be one of the best wreck dives in the world by many avid European wreck divers.

The ship is lying on its starboard side in 36 metres. The upper port side is 14 metres and covered with many types of marine flora and fauna therefore allowing even novice divers the chance to dive this magnificent ship. Dive along the corridors looking into the cabins. Visit the Bolshei Lounge or dive through the bridge. Go up to the top of the mast and along to the funnel. For more advanced divers, check out the gashes that sent her to the bottom or see the size of the propellor.

For the really adventurist divers with the relevant experience, do some of our penetration dives. For instance, come with us to the engine room. The entry point is through vents which are 8 levels above the engines and you are in total darkness, just your torch for light. This is one incredible dive. Seeing the engines that once drove this magnificent ocean liner is truly awe inspiring !

Discover the mysteries of this 20,000 tonne, 176 metre vessel. One of the worlds best wreck dives !

How about a dive into the swimming pool (which is still full of water) believe it or not ! And visit the pool bar, sit on the bar stools, see all the tinnies (beer cans) that got left behind (still alot there because most are Australian). Another fantastic dive !

If you are eanx/nitrox certified then the Lermontov is great for that being in the right depth range and therefore allowing more bottom time for your dive. Just let us know as we have a nitrox filling facility.

If you want to make the dives into one of your wreck or deep specialties, just let us know and we will also arrange that. Don't forget to ask for either of the above !

Bryan at Blenheim Dive Centre is the only local operator that has been diving the Mikhail Lermontov for all of its sunken life so for enjoyment, safety, experience and professionalism, join him for your wreck diving !

Our contact information phone 0064 3 5780331 or bdc@xtra.co.nz at 9 Scott Street Blenheim.

See our full list of dive trips for other dives in the 'top of the South Island'.

One of the many seahorse's on the ML !

The gem of New Zealand wreck diving. This Russian Cruise liner is the largest natural wreck in New Zealand. Discover the mysteries of this 20,000 tonne, 176 metre vessel which sunk on the 16^th February 1986. See the gashes that caused her sinking after hitting the reef as she passed between Cape Jackson lighthouse and the mainland. Dive the giant propellers or survey the now empty bars and restaurant of this first class cruise liner. The upper reaches of the liner are at 14 metres and now covered with many types of marine flora and fauna. Check out our trip schedule to see when its coming up !

The “Twin Wrecks” Dive

These are two great wreck dives suitable for all experience levels.

Situated in the inner Queen Charlotte Sound.

The Koi: A twin screw steamer of 53 tonnes built in 1906 which sunk at her mooring in March 1940. This vessel lies in only 12 metres of water. Having now been down for over 60 years.

The “Vara”. This launch is situated in 14 metres of water off Karaka Point. After falling off its cradle at a local shipyard and splitting her side she was towed to Karaka Point and scuttled in May 1986 to form an artificial reef. Boris a very friendly conger eel can be visited. Crayfish also call this vessel home.

Rangitoto & Lastingham

Two old sailing ships which sunk off Cape Jackson in 1873 & 1884. Both these vessels are now placed under the Historic places trust and are look but no touch dives.