37
COROMANDEL LIFE
SUMMER 2014
C
ascading waterfalls, lush sub-
tropical rainforests, steaming
geothermal pools, and icy blue
glaciers are what most tourists come to
New Zealand expecting to see; yet as we
have discovered, so much more of what
this country has to offer lies beneath the
surface.
As travelers from the eastern coast of the
US, these were the images that came to
mind. Before coming here on a working
holiday, we had been avid snorkelers in the
Caribbean, often dreaming about one day
learning to scuba dive.
After arriving in Auckland, we headed for
the Coromandel, drawn by tales of crystal
water, sandy beaches, and a cool, relaxed
atmosphere. We happened through the small
picturesque village of Tairua where the motto
‘Stay and Play’ enticed us to do just that.
We stumbled across a dive shop called
Tairua Dive and Marine. With the Alderman
Islands glistening out of the window, pretty
beaches alongside, and a relaxed yet
energetic operation led by Mike and Alex
Harris, we knew this must be fate. New
Zealand would be our diving birth place.
After a few quick classroom sessions with
Mike, our new PADI Instructor, we were
ready for the water. Our first official dives
were at Slipper Island. Descending along
the anchor chain, we opened our eyes as
wide as we could to take in as much of the
underwater wonders as possible. Swimming
through tall kelp forests, passing over
of our view, darting through the shimmering
wall creating new formations and designs
with their movements.
Suddenly, danger! A kingfish breaks
through the protective circle, scattering our
new friends in all directions. Chasing the
excitement, we drift over a kelp patch only to
see an eagle ray resting at the bottom. Could
it get any better? It can! Was that a sting
ray that just brushed by my leg? Incredible!
Only too soon our tanks were empty, the
dive was over, but our camera was full of
photographic memories of the delights of
our underwater playground.
Continuing along in our travels throughout
New Zealand, we have since dived at
various beautiful places along these coasts,
including the Poor Knights Islands and
Milford Sound; yet we keep returning as
often as possible to crystal waters and
magical wonders of the Alderman Islands,
our favourite dive spot.
DIVING DOWN
KIWI STYLE
watchful moray eels, and getting nibbled
at by a cheeky wrasse – we were hooked!
We had barely finished our PADI Open
Water certifications when we were booking
as many dives at the Alderman Islands as
Alex could schedule. We asked millions
of questions about the gear to buy, and
planning when we could do more advanced
diving courses.
That summer, we completed over twenty
dives just at the Aldermans at locations such
as Sting Ray Rock, Honeycomb Caves, Rock
Garden, Lens Reef and MacGregors Reef.
One of our most memorable dives occurred
at Honeycomb Bay, just around the corner
from the caves.
Rolling off the boat, we descended
immediately into a swirling school of
thousands of koheru. What a fortunate day
to have brought a camera! We did not need
to swim far from the anchor because the
most magnificent magic was happening
all around us. As the koheru continued to
entrap us in their sparkling whirlpool,
their friends, demoiselles, wrasse,
snapper, black angel fish and
red moki, danced in and out
Jim and Robin King arrived from the US in
September 2012. After finishing their PADI
Open Water certification the next month,
they have since dived all over New Zealand
(from Milford Sound to the Poor Knight
Islands) and most recently in Vanuatu. They
are furthering their underwater skills and
knowledge by pursuing PADI Rescue Diver
and interning with Tairua Dive and Marine
as Dive Master Candidates.
by Jim & Robin King
“I can only think of one
experience which might
exceed in interest to a few
hours spent
under water
,
and that would be
a
journey to Mars
.”
William Beebe
First scientist to descend into the deep abyss,
observing undersea life never before seen.
7 The Esplanade
Paku Boat Ramp, Tairua
P: 07 864 8800 M: 021 1457 365
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