Diving at Tawharanui Marine Reserve

Last Sunday morning we meet at Mathessons Bay for Jerry, Mimi, Mike and Logan to complete 2 dives on the PADI Advanced Open Water Course. Also, Shaun and Lelani joined the group for a bit of photography, trial their new Oceanic VT3 computers and dive with nitrox for the first time after completing their course.

Jerry, Logan, Mike, Mimi, Shaun and Lelani

The original plan was to head out in the boat to dive the outside of Goat Island and then the Outpost, however, we were confronted by 15 knot SE winds and a 2m swell breaking as huge waves along the coast. So we changed plans and headed south along the coast and took shelter behind the Tawharanui Peninsula to make a couple of great dives in the Tawharanui Marine Reserve.

We completed the navigation and fish ID dives of the advanced course. The abundant marine life at Tawharanui provided plenty of fish to identify, ranging from nudibranches, nests of crayfish, snapper, moki, triplefins and a large school of mullet. Diving on the Poseidon Mk6 rebreather (and no bubbles) enabled me to get up close and personal with the school of mullet for some great photos.

Shaun and Lelani loved their new Oceanic dive computers which are supplied with wireless transmitters, enabling them to view not only their own gas supply on their wrist, but also featuring the ability to also view their buddies gas supply…no more asking your buddy how much air they have because you already know !! A great safety and convenience feature.

View the photo gallery below: