Diving and Luxury

This is a longer itinerary showcasing some of the best diving available in New Zealand, together with some upmarket tourism experiences and luxury accommodations

This itinerary is pitched at the 5-star level.  For those who prefer a totally exclusive 6-star experience we can hire private islands, take lodges exclusively and travel by helicopter.  Just contact us and ask us.

This itinerary includes guide, transportation, accommodation and all indicated activities except where a list is provided for you to choose from. 

Sometimes there is a choice of accommodation.  This can be varied to fit your budget.

The tour can be undertaken with only one person, but would make most economic sense for 4 or more people travelling together.  Larger groups would mean in some cases selecting different accommodation with more rooms.

Day One

Arrive in Auckland.  Speed through the airport with our VIP airside escort.  Travel to your accommodation - a luxury 5-star hotel in the centre.  If you have the energy, we like to stop on the way to the city on One Tree Hill (Maungakiekie) and explain the city to you.  Relax, meet your guide(s).  Either take in an informal dinner or we can book a restaurant for the night. 

Day Two

Drive two hours north to diving/fishing centre Tutukaka.  Stay at the modern, harbourside, Oceans Resort.  Go out diving on a private boat in the afternoon for two dives on the Poor Knights.  The Poor Knights are the only non-tropical dive site mentioned in Jacques Cousteau's list of his top ten favourite sites.  A collection of islands, pinnacles, caves, corals and brightly coloured fish, there are over 40 recognised individual dive sites here.

Day Three

Full day diving the Poor Knights.

Day Four

Two more dives at the Poor Knights in the morning, followed by a two-hour drive north to the Bay of Islands.  Be welcomed by a local Maori chief (rangatira) in a formal ceremony before a traditional Maori lunch and a bathe in naturally heated Maori geothermal hot pools.  Accommodation can be at a number of properties, from top lodge Eagles Nest through to the Waterfront Apartments at Paihia, or the Paihia Beach Resort.

Day Five

A day at leisure in the Bay of Islands with a number of special activities which we recommend:

• world class game fishing
• sailing
• day safari to the top of the North Island, Cape Reinga
• quad bike safari on 90-Mile Beach, including lovely sand dunes
• any number of customised Maori experiences from fishing to hunting, weaving, carving, healing etc.
• diving on local wrecks

Day Six

A day diving in the Bay of Islands.  This can focus on a number of wrecks such as the Rainbow Warrior, or on gathering local seafood.  That evening travel three hours back down to Auckland.

Day Seven

Drive two hours to Waitomo for a private viewing of the caves and a lovely local bushwalk together with our highly knowledgeable guide.  Then, after lunch, drive two hours to the Rotorua region, stopping at Wai o Tapu thermal park.  Spend two hours walking the park and seeing the multi-coloured mud pools before driving the final half hour to top lodge Treetops.  Eat at the lodge that night.

Day Eight

Dive White Island, an active volcano in the Bay of Plenty.  Definitely a unique experience, together with abundant fish life attracted by the heated waters.  Return to Treetops Lodge.

Day Nine

Fly to Blenheim in the South Island and drive 20 minutes north to Picton, the harbour on the beautiful Marlborough Sounds.  Spend the day on a classic launch on a Maori eco-tour of the regions waterways, islands and bird and marine life.  Spend the night at lovely historic home The Convent, set in landscaped grounds and eat dinner at one of a number of excellent local vineyard restaurants.

Day Ten

Either dive the wreck of the Mikhail Lermontov in the Marlborough Sounds or spend the day getting to know some of Marlborough's vineyards.

Day Eleven

Drive 90 minutes south to Kaikoura and dive with the local seals before enjoying a fresh crayfish lunch.  Continue south to the Waipara and beautiful high country station Claremont Estate in time for drinks and dinner.

Day Twelve

Spend half the day on a tour of Claremont Estate.  This is an interesting, working sheep and deer station in a beautiful setting.  But the real gem which makes this tour unmissable are the geological formations.  Local university faculties use the station for field trips and we believe certain aspects of them are of international importance.  Spend the rest of the day relaxing and enjoy dinner again.

Day Thirteen

This is a long driving day through the centre of the South Island, stopping at beautiful lakes, until you reach your accommodation at Silver Pine Lodge.  In a country with really beautiful views, this place stands out.  The views are stunning and so is the cuisine.

Day Fourteen

Spend the day on a special safari into Mount Aspiring National Park.  Start with a 20-minute helicopter ride among mountain peaks, then a two-hour remote walking experience, followed by a 30-minute jetboat safari on your return.  Then back to Silver Pine.

Day Fifteen

Travel 90 minutes to Queenstown.  Stop on the way for a visit to Arrowtown and the Cardrona Tavern.  Spend the night, and another excellent dinner, at your choice of Matakauri Lodge, Punatapu or Eichardts.

Day Sixteen    

Helicopter into Fiordland for a day with a charter vessel, diving remote fiords.  The helicopter will also undertake an extended scenic flight of Milford Sound and other parts of Fiordland.

Day Seventeen

Day at leisure in Queenstown.  Options we recommend include:

• wine tour with local guide
• private four-wheel-drive tour of a high country station
• the usual commercial activities - jetboating, rafting, bungy jumping, parapenting, sky diving etc.

Day Eighteen

Depart