Dive Review of Oceanblue in
New Zealand/Poor Knights Islands

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Oceanblue, Sep, 2009, by Mike Szathmary, NC, USA ( Reviewer 5 reports with 3 Helpful votes). Report 5107.
No photos available at this time
Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Accommodations		Food
Service and Attitude		Environmental Sensitivity
Dive Operation		Shore Diving	N/A
Snorkeling	N/A
Overall Rating
Value for $$
Beginners
Advanced
Comments	First of all, I must say that the diving at the Poor Knights Islands is some of the best I have ever done. Having done most of my diving in the Caribbean/Atlantic, the life and topography of the Poor Knights is different than what I am used to. It is obvious that this is a protected area, and has been for a long time. If you can put up with the cold water, the diving is well worth it. The boat, on the other hand, was a major disappointment. I am a big believer in first impressions, and the one of the boat was not positive. Frankly, its a rust bucket. There has not been any TLC on the craft in a long time. Rust and spiderwebs everywhere. To me, this is a reflection on the owner and the skipper. The owner, Kevin, was on the cruise and seemed totally disinterested during the whole time; assistance only rendered if asked for. The skipper, Jef, was on his own agenda. He rushed us through our three dives on the last day so he can get back to port early to go to some function. Of course, he regaled us of all of his dive exploits and, so typical of some dive professionals, acted like he was the ultimate uber-diver. Food was basic and adequate. There are not many choices to choose from for overnight trips to the Poor Knights. Dive Tutukaka is the major op in the area, and they seemed to have their act together even though we didn't dive with them. They do not offer liveaboard options, however. In sum, we didn't let the shortcomings of the boat distract us from the diving. The diving at Poor Knights is worth putting up with a sub-par op; you just have to roll with the punches.
Reporter and Travel
Dive Experience	251-500 dives
Where else diving	Australia, Caribbean, Florida and Bahamas, Flower Gardens, North Carolina
Closest Airport		Getting There
Dive Conditions
Weather	sunny	Seas	surge
Water Temp	55-65°F / 13-18°C	Wetsuit Thickness
Water Visibility	50-75 Ft/ 15-23 M
Dive Policy
Dive own profile	yes
Enforced diving restrictions	None
Liveaboard?	yes	Nitrox Available?	N/A
What I Saw
Sharks	1 or 2	Mantas	None
Dolphins	Schools	Whale Sharks	None
Turtles	None	Whales	None
Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):
Corals		Tropical Fish
Small Critters		Large Fish
Large Pelagics
Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Subject Matter		Boat Facilities
Overall rating for UWP's		Shore Facilities	N/A
UW Photo Comments	Great area for photography, boat set-up for photographers lacking.

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Dive Review of Oceanblue in New Zealand/Poor Knights Islands

Oceanblue, Sep, 2009,

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Overall Rating

Reporter and Travel

Dive Conditions

Dive Policy

What I Saw

Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Dive Review of Oceanblue in
New Zealand/Poor Knights Islands